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Valkyrie Ops #1
Beyond the Limit
Skylar Tate, former Miss Congeniality, is a media officer for the Navy, but she itches to get on the field—and she can prove she has what it takes. But convincing others that she can become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs? That might be tougher than the agonizingly brutal training.
Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Skylar Tate, it's friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can't believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Skylar can't believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it's up to Skylar and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.
Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Skylar Tate, it's friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can't believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Skylar can't believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it's up to Skylar and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.
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First published June 25, 2019
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About the author
Cindy Dees
172 books1,950 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
July 13, 2019
Beyond the Limit by Cindy Dees.
Romantic military suspense. 1st in the Valkyrie Ops series of women training to be the first Navy SEALs.
A lot of the BUD/S training tactics are included and makes you appreciate what the SEALs actually have to go through. I’ve been driven past the San Diego Coronado training site many times and have even seen the Navy crew running with their boat over their heads. But I never realized the extent and length of that training.
I was worried about reading this because isn’t it cliche that the women training would fall in love their instructors. No worries. It’s well written. We know the hero isn’t just hung up on her beauty pageant looks but rather he wants to know what makes her unique and what drives her. She actually seems to be the one focused on his muscles. Eventually they have a much deeper relationship.
The end blew me away. The combination of Hell Week and enemies both near and far had me staying up late to finish the book.
I can’t wait to read more of this series.
Romantic military suspense. 1st in the Valkyrie Ops series of women training to be the first Navy SEALs.
A lot of the BUD/S training tactics are included and makes you appreciate what the SEALs actually have to go through. I’ve been driven past the San Diego Coronado training site many times and have even seen the Navy crew running with their boat over their heads. But I never realized the extent and length of that training.
I was worried about reading this because isn’t it cliche that the women training would fall in love their instructors. No worries. It’s well written. We know the hero isn’t just hung up on her beauty pageant looks but rather he wants to know what makes her unique and what drives her. She actually seems to be the one focused on his muscles. Eventually they have a much deeper relationship.
The end blew me away. The combination of Hell Week and enemies both near and far had me staying up late to finish the book.
I can’t wait to read more of this series.
May 26, 2019
Should women be allowed to be an elite Navy SEAL? The pressure is on to train and graduate women and seeing an opportunity for good press, former beauty pageant queen Sherri Tate is one of a group of women placed on the fast track to success. Training her would be Griffin Caldwell and his Reaper SEAL team, whether he liked it or not.
He never expected to respect and admire the beauty’s determination and abilities, let alone to fall for her. BEYOND THE LIMIT by Cindy Dees is certainly entertaining, plays to the whole “men are putty in the hands of an extremely beautiful woman,” theme, as well as the blatant sexual attraction between the two. More fluff than substance, it IS an entertaining read with some real nail-biting moments for Sherri and Griffin.
Read it for the romance, get a one-layer-deep peek at the training and remember, beauty is only skin deep, there is more to a woman than her looks and let’s hope men are smarter than the ones in this book! A fun read for a relaxing afternoon!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!
Series: Valkyrie Ops - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 25, 2019)
Publication Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Military Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
He never expected to respect and admire the beauty’s determination and abilities, let alone to fall for her. BEYOND THE LIMIT by Cindy Dees is certainly entertaining, plays to the whole “men are putty in the hands of an extremely beautiful woman,” theme, as well as the blatant sexual attraction between the two. More fluff than substance, it IS an entertaining read with some real nail-biting moments for Sherri and Griffin.
Read it for the romance, get a one-layer-deep peek at the training and remember, beauty is only skin deep, there is more to a woman than her looks and let’s hope men are smarter than the ones in this book! A fun read for a relaxing afternoon!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!
Series: Valkyrie Ops - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 25, 2019)
Publication Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Military Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 21, 2024
I slipped back into my old ways. I needed a break from fancy books. 🙁🙏
May 20, 2019
Beyond the Limits is book one in the Valkyrie Ops series written by Cindy Dee. only 353 pages, kind of short really, I had fun reading this book, though I felt I had read this book somewhere before. The Navy SEALS are under pressure to finale have a female SEAL, and to help to accomplish this agenda Team Reaper was chosen. Griffin Caldwell doesn’t believe that a female has what it takes to become one of the elites, but Navy media officer Sherri Tate is there to prove him and anyone who thinks like him wrong. This title had everything going for it a great plot and nice chemistry between the two leads. A good book for any reader who loves military romance.
July 12, 2019
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
First volume in a series talking about three female soldiers willing to incorporate the famous Navy SEALs, Beyond the Limit features Sherri when she’s the first to face misogyny and skepticism from the super soldiers charged with judging her competences.
I really liked the heroine, she’s strong in mind as physically and very determined – perhaps a bit obstinate but it’s necessary to succeed in the path she’s chosen. She also has team spirit and sense of sacrifice, and her experience as a media officer for the Navy gives her a sharp mind and good comebacks.
Grifin is a typical Navy SEAL, confident alpha male full of misconceptions about women and SEALs. I liked seeing him realize pretty women are more than ornaments and men are not necessarily better at all things physical.
I also loved reading descriptions of the training and trials the heroine must go through – hats off to those enduring that because it’s more torture than pleasure, and you need an iron mind to overcome that for as long as needed, which is well highlighted in this book.
On the negative side – and it’s strange in a romance story – the attraction is really too much present. From the minute of their meeting, the hero and the heroine spend long moments fantasizing about the other, to the point where for a too long time there’s not a page without a reference to the physical beauty of one or the other, or to the effects this beauty has on the libido of the character whose thoughts we’re reading. That’s too much when it’s during a banal scene, it becomes laughable and annoying when it’s at a moment concentration is required like when learning precision shooting. Not to mention the repetitions about the beauty of one or the other… I think the reader can understand the second time it’s mentioned they’re both super beautiful, no need to say it 50 000 other times….
Another point that I didn’t like is the sentence repeated several times saying men are afraid to be obsolete if women are accepted among the SEALs. Opening a job to the other sex doesn’t take out usefulness from those who’ve done it for a long time – fortunately, or I would have to pack up my syringes ^^
All in all it’s a more contemporary than suspense story which is relatively pleasant to read in spite of some flaws. I think that for the action scenes I will perhaps try the next volume when it’s published next year.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
First volume in a series talking about three female soldiers willing to incorporate the famous Navy SEALs, Beyond the Limit features Sherri when she’s the first to face misogyny and skepticism from the super soldiers charged with judging her competences.
I really liked the heroine, she’s strong in mind as physically and very determined – perhaps a bit obstinate but it’s necessary to succeed in the path she’s chosen. She also has team spirit and sense of sacrifice, and her experience as a media officer for the Navy gives her a sharp mind and good comebacks.
Grifin is a typical Navy SEAL, confident alpha male full of misconceptions about women and SEALs. I liked seeing him realize pretty women are more than ornaments and men are not necessarily better at all things physical.
I also loved reading descriptions of the training and trials the heroine must go through – hats off to those enduring that because it’s more torture than pleasure, and you need an iron mind to overcome that for as long as needed, which is well highlighted in this book.
On the negative side – and it’s strange in a romance story – the attraction is really too much present. From the minute of their meeting, the hero and the heroine spend long moments fantasizing about the other, to the point where for a too long time there’s not a page without a reference to the physical beauty of one or the other, or to the effects this beauty has on the libido of the character whose thoughts we’re reading. That’s too much when it’s during a banal scene, it becomes laughable and annoying when it’s at a moment concentration is required like when learning precision shooting. Not to mention the repetitions about the beauty of one or the other… I think the reader can understand the second time it’s mentioned they’re both super beautiful, no need to say it 50 000 other times….
Another point that I didn’t like is the sentence repeated several times saying men are afraid to be obsolete if women are accepted among the SEALs. Opening a job to the other sex doesn’t take out usefulness from those who’ve done it for a long time – fortunately, or I would have to pack up my syringes ^^
All in all it’s a more contemporary than suspense story which is relatively pleasant to read in spite of some flaws. I think that for the action scenes I will perhaps try the next volume when it’s published next year.
May 2, 2019
Oddly reminiscent of ‘The Medusa Project’—a book of Cindy Dees I read a long time ago, ‘Beyond the Limit’ failed to enthral me because it felt like ground that has been trodden on before: women attempting to break through the elite ranks of spec ops, an area traditionally and still dominated by Alpha men and the likes, and eventually getting them to eat their words, while forming a sisterhood in the process.
Miss Congeniality turned Spec-ops potential soldier Sherri Tate is the first in line in this book, as a SEAL platoon is tasked to get them up to speed as suitable candidates (and probably getting them to fail in the process). But seeing Sherri Tate swooning over her instructor and his hot bod felt painfully awkward instead and trying to meet all the men’s , seemingly proving the point that women and men couldn’t work together in the military without someone dying of lust.
I realise I’m not quite the type of reader who crows about female vs. male prowess even if it’s with the former coming out top), even if it’s about the women trying to earn a place in the SEALs—and how the men do everything in their power to wash them out. There’re misogynist and chauvinistic tendencies, both overt and implied and so deeply buried in everyday vocabulary—that men would be made obsolete if the women joined their ranks?!—but if the intention is to rile the female reader, it didn’t exactly work on me because it felt like a story that has been already told…by Dees herself a long time ago.
It’s not that I don’t think a very special breed of women can cut it in spec ops (there are already women rangers out there, so it’s a moot point), but rather, it’s probably the sense of entitlement of the elite SEALs have, along with the whole cyclical round of women proving men wrong that I’m tired with. Even though the women do it and triumph through sheer grit and hard work.
It’s all on me, I’ll readily admit, that I wasn’t as engaged in the storytelling as I would have liked and the skimmed the whole way without being able to get a hook into the whole journey of Sherri going through her rounds and rounds of training. ‘Beyond The Limit’ just didn’t do it for me, for a combination of reasons that had me not finishing it.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Miss Congeniality turned Spec-ops potential soldier Sherri Tate is the first in line in this book, as a SEAL platoon is tasked to get them up to speed as suitable candidates (and probably getting them to fail in the process). But seeing Sherri Tate swooning over her instructor and his hot bod felt painfully awkward instead and trying to meet all the men’s , seemingly proving the point that women and men couldn’t work together in the military without someone dying of lust.
I realise I’m not quite the type of reader who crows about female vs. male prowess even if it’s with the former coming out top), even if it’s about the women trying to earn a place in the SEALs—and how the men do everything in their power to wash them out. There’re misogynist and chauvinistic tendencies, both overt and implied and so deeply buried in everyday vocabulary—that men would be made obsolete if the women joined their ranks?!—but if the intention is to rile the female reader, it didn’t exactly work on me because it felt like a story that has been already told…by Dees herself a long time ago.
It’s not that I don’t think a very special breed of women can cut it in spec ops (there are already women rangers out there, so it’s a moot point), but rather, it’s probably the sense of entitlement of the elite SEALs have, along with the whole cyclical round of women proving men wrong that I’m tired with. Even though the women do it and triumph through sheer grit and hard work.
It’s all on me, I’ll readily admit, that I wasn’t as engaged in the storytelling as I would have liked and the skimmed the whole way without being able to get a hook into the whole journey of Sherri going through her rounds and rounds of training. ‘Beyond The Limit’ just didn’t do it for me, for a combination of reasons that had me not finishing it.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
June 15, 2021
It's a good read. I loved learning about Navy SEALs and their training through Sherri, who's trying to be the first woman SEAL. The story is well-written. The only problem in this book is the romance, it felt a bit plain and boring.
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June 3, 2019
Beyond the Limit (Valkyrie Ops #1) by Cindy Dees
4.5 stars
M/F Military Romance
Triggers: Death, Kidnapping, Terrorism
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Whew, I really enjoyed the pace of this book. Sherri is a take no prisoner's military woman who goes after what she wants. She has had to overcome her looks and show the men around her that she's more than just a pretty face. But, when the opportunity knocks for her to try her skills at becoming a SEAL, she jumps at the chance.
Griffin is a tough, rugged SEAL and he is somewhat set in his ways. When he's called to a top secret assignment, he thinks they'll be shipped out to hunt someone dangerous down, not recalled to help train a few women to become SEALs. There are no women in the SEALs and Griffin believes that's the right call. But, as he gets to know the women, he's impressed and awed by their grit and determination.
When a terrorist from his past comes calling, Griffin and his team will have to decide whether or not women can truly help them or if they will turn the women away.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the romance. It built and was steamy without being forced or fake. I am loving the military setting and can't wait to read the next book.
4.5 stars
M/F Military Romance
Triggers: Death, Kidnapping, Terrorism
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Whew, I really enjoyed the pace of this book. Sherri is a take no prisoner's military woman who goes after what she wants. She has had to overcome her looks and show the men around her that she's more than just a pretty face. But, when the opportunity knocks for her to try her skills at becoming a SEAL, she jumps at the chance.
Griffin is a tough, rugged SEAL and he is somewhat set in his ways. When he's called to a top secret assignment, he thinks they'll be shipped out to hunt someone dangerous down, not recalled to help train a few women to become SEALs. There are no women in the SEALs and Griffin believes that's the right call. But, as he gets to know the women, he's impressed and awed by their grit and determination.
When a terrorist from his past comes calling, Griffin and his team will have to decide whether or not women can truly help them or if they will turn the women away.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the romance. It built and was steamy without being forced or fake. I am loving the military setting and can't wait to read the next book.
August 13, 2023
This series is the Valkyrie Ops, I guess I thought it would have a bit more sisterhood in it. At the start there were other females included and I liked the camaraderie that developed between the women but they faded out way too soon for me. The story was written in a way that their absence was expected but I wanted more. It’s the Valkyrie Ops, give me more of a womanhood banding together to prove how awesome they are. Totally disappointing to me, especially since what I did learn of the other women was not enough of a draw to make me want to continue in this series. Sigh. Overall, I am not saying that Beyond the Limit was a bad read, it had plenty of heat, suspense, and amazingly written scenes but it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
August 30, 2019
Cindy Dees is a fairly new to me author, and since I love novels about Navy SEALs, I was eager to read this first novel in her new Valkyrie Ops series, Beyond the Limit, in which women attempt to become the first female Navy SEALs, and while I very much enjoyed the concept and getting a look at what BUD/S SEAL training is really like from a female perspective, and while there was a lot I liked about this book, there were some things I found exceedingly redundant, earning a 4-star rating from this reader.
Sherri in a Lieutenant in the Navy, a former Miss America contestant, and she, as well as two other women in both the Army and Marines are recruited to try to take down the last bastion of elite males only military, the Navy SEALs, but, do Sherri and the others really have a shot at getting their tridents or is this just a publicity stunt to mollify women who historically have had to fight their way into being taken seriously as full-fledged, combat compatriots, equal in strength, endurance and capability to all-male branches in the military. It's been a hard sell, and it's been obvious from news reports about the harassment of the women who want to see combat, fly jets, and in this novel it's about Special Forces.
Sherri seriously wants to become a SEAL, and she wants to prove her worth. She's already fit--a marathon runner who has cross-trained for the Olympic heptathalon, but in order for her to be really ready, in secret she and the two other women, Lily and Anna, are flown to an obsolete military training facility and a 6-man team of SEALs will pre-train these women to get them ready to pass real BUD/S training, giving the women a chance to learn the skills they'll need in order to pass those grueling tests of their physical, mental, and emotional endurance and fortitude, culminating in Hell Week, which is the final week of all the torture the military has used to break those who just don't have it. If you've ever wanted to see the nuts and bolts of what it takes to become a SEAL, you will be as fascinated by this novel as I was.
Of course, the Navy SEAL team assigned to get these women ready for BUD/S aren't happy about it. They doubt that any woman could survive BUD/S, but because they've been ordered to train them, they'll follow orders, but not before trying to break these women, and boy, are they ever going to be surprised. Griffin, the SEAL team leader is assigned to Sherri, and the two are attracted to one another from the start. In Griffin's case, all he can see is a stunningly beautiful woman, who the men nickname Barbi, and the attraction between these two characters is mutual, especially when Sherri gets a look at hunky, muscular, gorgeous "Griff," The women are told that only one of them will be allowed to move on to BUD/S, and Sherri believes that her beauty pageant experience with the media and as a spokeswoman who's dedicated to helping raise awareness about domestic violence, that one woman will be her, and she doesn't just want to be the poster-child for this publicity stunt, she really wants to be a SEAL and sent into combat, and she knows it's going to take a lot of grit to make these SEALs take her, Lily and Anna seriously.
Here's my one gripe with this novel. We know that Sherri is drop-dead stunning, and Griff is the most handsome, hunky man that Sherri's seen, but I lost count of how many times we had to hear about how beautiful she was, how muscular and gorgeous Griff was, and there wasn't a single scene in this novel where Griff didn't wax poetic about her eyes, her face, her boobs, legs and bottom, and how he lusted after her. By the third or fourth time Ms. Dees again told us about it, I rolled my eyes so many times I actually thought I might lose my balance and fall out of bed. I just wanted to say, "Alright already, they're knockouts, stop telling me so!" If that was going to be the only thing these two characters talked about, dreamed about, and fantasized about, I doubted that I'd get through this novel without tearing my hair out, since it made both of them seem like the most shallow characters ever, and I wished that some of these passages had been deleted by the editors.
What saved this novel was the growing, yet grudging respect the SEALs soon developed for these 3 women, who took what was thrown at them and proved themselves time and again. We even get to see how they and the team members who were ordered to remain behind when half their team was sent out to capture their number one wanted Taliban terrorist, and the other half stateside react to seeing their three ambushed, captured and killed in real time as the op went horribly wrong.
In addition, there's a subplot of hazing by one of the recruits who's singled out Sherri, who manages to take whatever he dishes out for just so long--and expect a lot of suspense in the latter half of this novel, as Sherri, who is close to completing Hell Week and then suddenly goes missing. It's a race to the finish, and the HEA ending that was truly riveting.
All in all, this novel worked for me, with the exception of the redundancies I mentioned earlier. If you are fascinated by what it takes to become an elite Navy SEAL, (and while some of it is still clothed in secrecy) I think you'll be equally fascinated by the training details that are mentioned and described. I'm looking forward ti reading the next installment of Valkyrie Ops.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Sherri in a Lieutenant in the Navy, a former Miss America contestant, and she, as well as two other women in both the Army and Marines are recruited to try to take down the last bastion of elite males only military, the Navy SEALs, but, do Sherri and the others really have a shot at getting their tridents or is this just a publicity stunt to mollify women who historically have had to fight their way into being taken seriously as full-fledged, combat compatriots, equal in strength, endurance and capability to all-male branches in the military. It's been a hard sell, and it's been obvious from news reports about the harassment of the women who want to see combat, fly jets, and in this novel it's about Special Forces.
Sherri seriously wants to become a SEAL, and she wants to prove her worth. She's already fit--a marathon runner who has cross-trained for the Olympic heptathalon, but in order for her to be really ready, in secret she and the two other women, Lily and Anna, are flown to an obsolete military training facility and a 6-man team of SEALs will pre-train these women to get them ready to pass real BUD/S training, giving the women a chance to learn the skills they'll need in order to pass those grueling tests of their physical, mental, and emotional endurance and fortitude, culminating in Hell Week, which is the final week of all the torture the military has used to break those who just don't have it. If you've ever wanted to see the nuts and bolts of what it takes to become a SEAL, you will be as fascinated by this novel as I was.
Of course, the Navy SEAL team assigned to get these women ready for BUD/S aren't happy about it. They doubt that any woman could survive BUD/S, but because they've been ordered to train them, they'll follow orders, but not before trying to break these women, and boy, are they ever going to be surprised. Griffin, the SEAL team leader is assigned to Sherri, and the two are attracted to one another from the start. In Griffin's case, all he can see is a stunningly beautiful woman, who the men nickname Barbi, and the attraction between these two characters is mutual, especially when Sherri gets a look at hunky, muscular, gorgeous "Griff," The women are told that only one of them will be allowed to move on to BUD/S, and Sherri believes that her beauty pageant experience with the media and as a spokeswoman who's dedicated to helping raise awareness about domestic violence, that one woman will be her, and she doesn't just want to be the poster-child for this publicity stunt, she really wants to be a SEAL and sent into combat, and she knows it's going to take a lot of grit to make these SEALs take her, Lily and Anna seriously.
Here's my one gripe with this novel. We know that Sherri is drop-dead stunning, and Griff is the most handsome, hunky man that Sherri's seen, but I lost count of how many times we had to hear about how beautiful she was, how muscular and gorgeous Griff was, and there wasn't a single scene in this novel where Griff didn't wax poetic about her eyes, her face, her boobs, legs and bottom, and how he lusted after her. By the third or fourth time Ms. Dees again told us about it, I rolled my eyes so many times I actually thought I might lose my balance and fall out of bed. I just wanted to say, "Alright already, they're knockouts, stop telling me so!" If that was going to be the only thing these two characters talked about, dreamed about, and fantasized about, I doubted that I'd get through this novel without tearing my hair out, since it made both of them seem like the most shallow characters ever, and I wished that some of these passages had been deleted by the editors.
What saved this novel was the growing, yet grudging respect the SEALs soon developed for these 3 women, who took what was thrown at them and proved themselves time and again. We even get to see how they and the team members who were ordered to remain behind when half their team was sent out to capture their number one wanted Taliban terrorist, and the other half stateside react to seeing their three ambushed, captured and killed in real time as the op went horribly wrong.
In addition, there's a subplot of hazing by one of the recruits who's singled out Sherri, who manages to take whatever he dishes out for just so long--and expect a lot of suspense in the latter half of this novel, as Sherri, who is close to completing Hell Week and then suddenly goes missing. It's a race to the finish, and the HEA ending that was truly riveting.
All in all, this novel worked for me, with the exception of the redundancies I mentioned earlier. If you are fascinated by what it takes to become an elite Navy SEAL, (and while some of it is still clothed in secrecy) I think you'll be equally fascinated by the training details that are mentioned and described. I'm looking forward ti reading the next installment of Valkyrie Ops.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 18, 2019
4 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019
Sherri Tate, former Miss Congeniality, is a media officer for the Navy, but she itches to get on the field—and she can prove she has what it takes. But convincing others that she can become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs? That might be tougher than the agonizingly brutal training.
Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Skylar Tate, it's friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can't believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Sherri can't believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it's up to Sherri and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.
••••••••••
REVIEW: BEYOND THE LIMIT is the first instalment in Cindy Dee’s contemporary, adult VALKYRIE OPS romantic, military suspense series focusing on female SEALs. This is Lieutenant Sherri Tate, and Navy SEAL Griffin Caldwell’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Sherri and Griffin) BEYOND THE LIMIT follows the rigorous and arduous training as Sherri Tate, and two other women warriors attempt to pass the BUD/S training for the US Navy SEALs. Sherri Tate is a media officer for the Navy, and is hoping to become the first female SEAL in US history but the fight to the top is harder than expected. From the outset our heroine is targeted by the people in charge, people who struggle with women in the US Navy SEALs. Enter SEAL and Reaper Team member Griffin Caldwell, the man with whom Sherri will fall in love. What ensues is the forbidden and secret relationship and romance between Sherri and Griffin, and the potential fall-out when SEAL Team Reaper walks into an ambush, and Sherri becomes collateral damage in an international war with the US Navy.
Griffin Caldwell’s career as an active member of Team Reaper has been side lined by potential a career ending injury. Assigned to the SEAL training division our hero will come face to face with former pageant queen Sherri Tate, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Not everyone is happy to see women vying for a position with the US Navy SEALs, and Sherri, for all her determination and guts is targeted on more than one occasion.
The relationship between Sherri and Griffin is one of immediate attraction but Griffin battles between head and heart believing women in the Navy SEALs is a mistake and a disaster waiting to happen. Griffin is not the only man who believes this to be true, as our heroine will discover as she struggles her way to the top of the class. Having to hide their relationship and keep secret their love, our couple battle to remain stoic in the face of potential danger and loss of their jobs. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including two other candidates for US Navy SEAL: Lily VanDyke and Anna Marlow; Commander Calvin Kettering, as well as several members of Griffin’s Reaper SEAL Team: Kenny, Trevor, Axe, Sam and Jojo; and a number of recruits vying for one of the few remaining BUD/S training positions.
BEYOND THE LIMIT is a detailed story of discrimination and determination; of betrayal and revenge; of love, lust and happily ever after. The author, a pilot in the US Air Force, uses her knowledge and experience to bring the story and her characters to life. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are strong, determined and energetic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019
Sherri Tate, former Miss Congeniality, is a media officer for the Navy, but she itches to get on the field—and she can prove she has what it takes. But convincing others that she can become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs? That might be tougher than the agonizingly brutal training.
Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Skylar Tate, it's friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can't believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Sherri can't believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it's up to Sherri and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.
••••••••••
REVIEW: BEYOND THE LIMIT is the first instalment in Cindy Dee’s contemporary, adult VALKYRIE OPS romantic, military suspense series focusing on female SEALs. This is Lieutenant Sherri Tate, and Navy SEAL Griffin Caldwell’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Sherri and Griffin) BEYOND THE LIMIT follows the rigorous and arduous training as Sherri Tate, and two other women warriors attempt to pass the BUD/S training for the US Navy SEALs. Sherri Tate is a media officer for the Navy, and is hoping to become the first female SEAL in US history but the fight to the top is harder than expected. From the outset our heroine is targeted by the people in charge, people who struggle with women in the US Navy SEALs. Enter SEAL and Reaper Team member Griffin Caldwell, the man with whom Sherri will fall in love. What ensues is the forbidden and secret relationship and romance between Sherri and Griffin, and the potential fall-out when SEAL Team Reaper walks into an ambush, and Sherri becomes collateral damage in an international war with the US Navy.
Griffin Caldwell’s career as an active member of Team Reaper has been side lined by potential a career ending injury. Assigned to the SEAL training division our hero will come face to face with former pageant queen Sherri Tate, a woman who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Not everyone is happy to see women vying for a position with the US Navy SEALs, and Sherri, for all her determination and guts is targeted on more than one occasion.
The relationship between Sherri and Griffin is one of immediate attraction but Griffin battles between head and heart believing women in the Navy SEALs is a mistake and a disaster waiting to happen. Griffin is not the only man who believes this to be true, as our heroine will discover as she struggles her way to the top of the class. Having to hide their relationship and keep secret their love, our couple battle to remain stoic in the face of potential danger and loss of their jobs. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including two other candidates for US Navy SEAL: Lily VanDyke and Anna Marlow; Commander Calvin Kettering, as well as several members of Griffin’s Reaper SEAL Team: Kenny, Trevor, Axe, Sam and Jojo; and a number of recruits vying for one of the few remaining BUD/S training positions.
BEYOND THE LIMIT is a detailed story of discrimination and determination; of betrayal and revenge; of love, lust and happily ever after. The author, a pilot in the US Air Force, uses her knowledge and experience to bring the story and her characters to life. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are strong, determined and energetic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 20, 2019
I received a complimentary ARC of this book via Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.
Beyond the Limit is a sizzling, action-packed romance by new-to-me author Cindy Dees. It’s the story of two heroes—people willing to take any risk to save Americans—falling in love, & it was engrossing from start to finish.
Books with uber strong heroines are one of my catnips, and this book has that times three. Three highly determined, fit, and strong women learn that one of them will go through BUD/S training and become the “face” of the female SEAL, no matter what.
Sherri Tate is one of those women. She’s beautiful, and she feels like she’s been limited in some ways by how people perceive her. For her, this opportunity is a chance to serve her nation, to save people, and to prove that she has what it takes.
Then there’s Griffin Caldwell, a SEAL and one of her trainers, who would probably rather wear a powder blue suit every day, hungover—like he is the first time we meet him—than work with & support a female SEAL.
There’s also the insta lust between them, which is soon blazing out of control despite the risks associated with them indulging in it. But is there any way that this thing between them could be worth the possible danger to their careers? Particularly since Sherri is just getting started on the SEAL track?
Dees adeptly captures how physically and mentally stressful SEAL training is for Sherri and her fellow trainees. She writes action really well—the scenes have a physicality and vividness that made me even more invested in Sherri’s outcome. Sherri is a warrior, capable of handling nearly everything they throw at her. I loved it.
Ditto for the physical scenes between Sherri & Griffin. They’re so good together: the secret ways they support each other, the passion between them, and how they’re kind of perfectly matched.
But I was kind of bothered by their relationship while training—the lengths he goes to to make sure she’ll succeed to the next round. Even while I understood that they were both playing the game, it also didn’t really seem keeping with either of their characters for me. I had trouble believing that she would be satisfied moving through training like that, with advantages that other people didn’t have.
I’m looking forward to checking out some of Dees’ other books, because the aspects of the book that worked for me really worked for me. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy!
Beyond the Limit is a sizzling, action-packed romance by new-to-me author Cindy Dees. It’s the story of two heroes—people willing to take any risk to save Americans—falling in love, & it was engrossing from start to finish.
Books with uber strong heroines are one of my catnips, and this book has that times three. Three highly determined, fit, and strong women learn that one of them will go through BUD/S training and become the “face” of the female SEAL, no matter what.
Sherri Tate is one of those women. She’s beautiful, and she feels like she’s been limited in some ways by how people perceive her. For her, this opportunity is a chance to serve her nation, to save people, and to prove that she has what it takes.
Then there’s Griffin Caldwell, a SEAL and one of her trainers, who would probably rather wear a powder blue suit every day, hungover—like he is the first time we meet him—than work with & support a female SEAL.
There’s also the insta lust between them, which is soon blazing out of control despite the risks associated with them indulging in it. But is there any way that this thing between them could be worth the possible danger to their careers? Particularly since Sherri is just getting started on the SEAL track?
Dees adeptly captures how physically and mentally stressful SEAL training is for Sherri and her fellow trainees. She writes action really well—the scenes have a physicality and vividness that made me even more invested in Sherri’s outcome. Sherri is a warrior, capable of handling nearly everything they throw at her. I loved it.
Ditto for the physical scenes between Sherri & Griffin. They’re so good together: the secret ways they support each other, the passion between them, and how they’re kind of perfectly matched.
But I was kind of bothered by their relationship while training—the lengths he goes to to make sure she’ll succeed to the next round. Even while I understood that they were both playing the game, it also didn’t really seem keeping with either of their characters for me. I had trouble believing that she would be satisfied moving through training like that, with advantages that other people didn’t have.
I’m looking forward to checking out some of Dees’ other books, because the aspects of the book that worked for me really worked for me. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy!
June 18, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
I really, really enjoyed this fast paced, cleverly plotted story. The concept of preparing women to be SEALS, and the reality behind the seemingly good faith measure is really poignantly written. I enjoyed the story from the very first page, and even though I was confident that there would be a satisfying ending, there were some moments of doubt, which caught me unawares.
Giving us an insight into SEAL training, and the brutality to be honest of the methods used - wow, respect. How the three women coped with the intensity, and drew on the teams just came over so well. And obviously Skylar - usually called Tate - was an incredible athlete, yet her description of dealing with the pain of stretching herself beyond her limits was crazy. That single-minded commitment is not something that many are blessed with, so reading about it was fascinating. Huge respect to Dees for getting it over with her writing.
Along with all that hard physical work, was the ups and downs of working so intensely on one's mind. There were some lovely funny moments, and moments of darkness and fear - but all brought to life vividly. Having Griff's input, and his attraction in spite of his annoyance at babysitting these women, did give some idea of why women in the service could cause issues - but he also acknowledged that their strengths were aspects that he had seen lacking when out in the field. I loved that level of detail, it made the book so much richer for me - and was never done in a preachy way, rather fell out of incidents and conversations very naturally.
His constant attraction to Tate and its effect on his body was very funny, and he was swift to say that it was not the outside package, even if that was gorgeous, but her very being. Tate too had a strong desire for him due to his looks, but as they started to work together a deep level of respect and friendship developed - the fact the chemistry was off the walls was almost a side benefit to their relationship (a great one, but not the only thing holding them together).
I am really excited about the next book in the series already, and will enjoy thinking about Tate and Griff and how they dealt with what they faced, and how it changed them both for the better. Thank you Cindy Rees for a special book.
I really, really enjoyed this fast paced, cleverly plotted story. The concept of preparing women to be SEALS, and the reality behind the seemingly good faith measure is really poignantly written. I enjoyed the story from the very first page, and even though I was confident that there would be a satisfying ending, there were some moments of doubt, which caught me unawares.
Giving us an insight into SEAL training, and the brutality to be honest of the methods used - wow, respect. How the three women coped with the intensity, and drew on the teams just came over so well. And obviously Skylar - usually called Tate - was an incredible athlete, yet her description of dealing with the pain of stretching herself beyond her limits was crazy. That single-minded commitment is not something that many are blessed with, so reading about it was fascinating. Huge respect to Dees for getting it over with her writing.
Along with all that hard physical work, was the ups and downs of working so intensely on one's mind. There were some lovely funny moments, and moments of darkness and fear - but all brought to life vividly. Having Griff's input, and his attraction in spite of his annoyance at babysitting these women, did give some idea of why women in the service could cause issues - but he also acknowledged that their strengths were aspects that he had seen lacking when out in the field. I loved that level of detail, it made the book so much richer for me - and was never done in a preachy way, rather fell out of incidents and conversations very naturally.
His constant attraction to Tate and its effect on his body was very funny, and he was swift to say that it was not the outside package, even if that was gorgeous, but her very being. Tate too had a strong desire for him due to his looks, but as they started to work together a deep level of respect and friendship developed - the fact the chemistry was off the walls was almost a side benefit to their relationship (a great one, but not the only thing holding them together).
I am really excited about the next book in the series already, and will enjoy thinking about Tate and Griff and how they dealt with what they faced, and how it changed them both for the better. Thank you Cindy Rees for a special book.
June 18, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
A female seal? Are they crazy? Nope and it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
Grif and his team of Reapers have been assigned to train the first three candidates for BUD/S school. They are not happy about it, thinking this training is going to be more about babysitting than actual training. This was supposed to be their leave and downtime before being assigned another mission.
Sherri Tate is one of the three candidates for seal school along with Lilly and Anna. They are excellent soldiers as exemplary athletes.
Grif is assigned to be Sherr's swim buddy. They are never apart during training. Grif does his best to encourage her to quit, to ring the bell, all the while he can't but help noticing that she's all woman. Knowing that any type of relationship between them will not only affect her shot at becoming a Seal, it would also damage both of their careers. That doesn't stop them from indulging in a little hanky panky when they can get away with it.
When Sherri volunteers to be the "first" female to attend BUD/S training, she knows that she will become the poster child for the Navy if she passes. She will be paraded around at various events rather than being out in the field with her fellow Seals.
A series of events befall her during training and when it comes to a head during Hell Week, Sherri must dig down deep to come up with the strength to survive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters herein. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
A female seal? Are they crazy? Nope and it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
Grif and his team of Reapers have been assigned to train the first three candidates for BUD/S school. They are not happy about it, thinking this training is going to be more about babysitting than actual training. This was supposed to be their leave and downtime before being assigned another mission.
Sherri Tate is one of the three candidates for seal school along with Lilly and Anna. They are excellent soldiers as exemplary athletes.
Grif is assigned to be Sherr's swim buddy. They are never apart during training. Grif does his best to encourage her to quit, to ring the bell, all the while he can't but help noticing that she's all woman. Knowing that any type of relationship between them will not only affect her shot at becoming a Seal, it would also damage both of their careers. That doesn't stop them from indulging in a little hanky panky when they can get away with it.
When Sherri volunteers to be the "first" female to attend BUD/S training, she knows that she will become the poster child for the Navy if she passes. She will be paraded around at various events rather than being out in the field with her fellow Seals.
A series of events befall her during training and when it comes to a head during Hell Week, Sherri must dig down deep to come up with the strength to survive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters herein. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
November 23, 2024
2.5
I liked most of this despite not having much action outside of them training for almost the entire book, but I knocked off half a star for the ending which I felt like didn't make sense and which didn't feel consistent with their characters up until that point
I liked most of this despite not having much action outside of them training for almost the entire book, but I knocked off half a star for the ending which I felt like didn't make sense and which didn't feel consistent with their characters up until that point
July 11, 2019
J’ai aimé l’héroïne, forte et déterminée, et j’ai adoré lire les séances de torture entrainements subis pour devenir un SEAL. J’ai beaucoup moins aimé que l’attraction soit si présente que dans la première moitié il n’y a pas une page sans référence à l’effet du physique de l’autre sur la libido du personnage dans la tête duquel on est.
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 29, 2019
The first book in the Valkyrie Ops and my first read by this author, Beyond the Limit is a story of determination, forbidden romance and danger. I enjoyed the premise, the story and characters are engaging and the support cast round this for a promising start to this new series.
July 5, 2021
To be honest I really enjoyed reading it! As the story followed, it was more and more intriguing and captivating. It was a perfect mix of romance and action - which tbh is something really nice to read about and to find you very involved in the story (not even knowing that you are involved that much).
Although it was kind of quick and fast, it was also something that kept me up at night thinking what will happen next?. It was truly one of the best things to read during a hot day, drinking cold lemonade and fantasizing about the dreamy soldier (not mine though, sigh).
Although it was kind of quick and fast, it was also something that kept me up at night thinking what will happen next?. It was truly one of the best things to read during a hot day, drinking cold lemonade and fantasizing about the dreamy soldier (not mine though, sigh).
June 2, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Griffin Caldwell is part of the Navy SEALS and his team is his family. When all the members get a message from their commander, they can't believe it is during their brother's wedding. They are all, except the groom, taken to a close airfield and flown off in the darkness of night.
Sherri Tate is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working in DC as the media officer for the Navy but she wants more than to be the pretty face. So she decided she wants to make something of herself that she can be proud of and that being the first Navy SEAL would do just that.
As Sherri and two other women are trying to get ready to join the group to be Navy SEALS, Griffin and his team will train the three women to see who can make it. As time goes by Sherri and Griffin grow closer together.
Will Griffin see that Sherri is determined to be a SEAL and help her in the end? Can Sherri show them all that she can be the first female Navy SEAL? What will happen when something goes wrong during one of the training evolutions?
I love good romantic suspense with a killer heroine and alpha hero that makes this story great. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait to read more in this series. If you are looking for a new series with a kick, then this one is for you.
Griffin Caldwell is part of the Navy SEALS and his team is his family. When all the members get a message from their commander, they can't believe it is during their brother's wedding. They are all, except the groom, taken to a close airfield and flown off in the darkness of night.
Sherri Tate is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working in DC as the media officer for the Navy but she wants more than to be the pretty face. So she decided she wants to make something of herself that she can be proud of and that being the first Navy SEAL would do just that.
As Sherri and two other women are trying to get ready to join the group to be Navy SEALS, Griffin and his team will train the three women to see who can make it. As time goes by Sherri and Griffin grow closer together.
Will Griffin see that Sherri is determined to be a SEAL and help her in the end? Can Sherri show them all that she can be the first female Navy SEAL? What will happen when something goes wrong during one of the training evolutions?
I love good romantic suspense with a killer heroine and alpha hero that makes this story great. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait to read more in this series. If you are looking for a new series with a kick, then this one is for you.
May 20, 2019
I was really excited by the blurb for Beyond the Limit. The hero was obnoxious about women in the first chapter, but I let it slide. Second chapter, let it slide. But when it takes 15 of the 25 chapters for the hero, Griffin Caldwell, to show some sign of change that is never truly achieved? Unforgivable.
I was torn on whether Beyond the Limit was a 1-star, 1.5-star, or 2-star read for me. After a couple of days of reflection, I decided that it's 1.5-star—but rounded down, because there is so much more bad to discuss than good.
For me, the good started around 60% through the book, when our heroine, Sherri Tate, moves on to training that does not include Griffin being involved much in the story anymore. Sherri is a much better character without Griffin involved. Unfortunately, the only good and interesting part of the story is over within 10 chapters (around 90% into the book), leaving the reader to suffer through the end.
It takes a lot for me to have such a viscerally negative reaction to a book, as I'm happy to roll with most plots as long as I feel that the author justified them, structured them well, and crafted relatable (even if they're not likeable) characters. Griffin is a terrible character. His attitude toward women is ridiculously sexist—something you can see in him even through the final pages. It was frustrating to read chapter after chapter of Griffin's BS.
I normally highlight and note a few things in books to refer back to in my reviews. A few, as in, less than 10 notes of major things I noticed in the writing or some commentary on my mind. In Beyond the Limit, I had 104 notes. A handful of these notes were lines that I noted as breakthroughs in Sherri's progression as a character. Another few notes were highlighting the main character names and changes in location. But the vast majority of the notes highlighted areas where Griffin was being a jerk, whether in general or through sexist commentary. I had so many attached comments of "ugh," "meh," "WTF??," and expletives I won't print in a review that my Kindle notebook is painted in a rainbow of my frustration.
Ultimately, it was Griffin's terrible characterization that ruined the story for me. The plot regarding the first female SEALs is quite topical, but Griffin drains any enjoyment of it. The good part of the plot only comes once he's temporarily on the backburner and Sherri gets to shine.
Even though one of my major interests in Beyond the Limit was the story being a romance—it would have been much better with no romance. Its unsatisfying HFN conclusion seems to agree with that sentiment.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was torn on whether Beyond the Limit was a 1-star, 1.5-star, or 2-star read for me. After a couple of days of reflection, I decided that it's 1.5-star—but rounded down, because there is so much more bad to discuss than good.
For me, the good started around 60% through the book, when our heroine, Sherri Tate, moves on to training that does not include Griffin being involved much in the story anymore. Sherri is a much better character without Griffin involved. Unfortunately, the only good and interesting part of the story is over within 10 chapters (around 90% into the book), leaving the reader to suffer through the end.
It takes a lot for me to have such a viscerally negative reaction to a book, as I'm happy to roll with most plots as long as I feel that the author justified them, structured them well, and crafted relatable (even if they're not likeable) characters. Griffin is a terrible character. His attitude toward women is ridiculously sexist—something you can see in him even through the final pages. It was frustrating to read chapter after chapter of Griffin's BS.
I normally highlight and note a few things in books to refer back to in my reviews. A few, as in, less than 10 notes of major things I noticed in the writing or some commentary on my mind. In Beyond the Limit, I had 104 notes. A handful of these notes were lines that I noted as breakthroughs in Sherri's progression as a character. Another few notes were highlighting the main character names and changes in location. But the vast majority of the notes highlighted areas where Griffin was being a jerk, whether in general or through sexist commentary. I had so many attached comments of "ugh," "meh," "WTF??," and expletives I won't print in a review that my Kindle notebook is painted in a rainbow of my frustration.
Ultimately, it was Griffin's terrible characterization that ruined the story for me. The plot regarding the first female SEALs is quite topical, but Griffin drains any enjoyment of it. The good part of the plot only comes once he's temporarily on the backburner and Sherri gets to shine.
Even though one of my major interests in Beyond the Limit was the story being a romance—it would have been much better with no romance. Its unsatisfying HFN conclusion seems to agree with that sentiment.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2019
This book elicited a rainbow of emotions from me. From fantastic scenes, to annoying characters, to stereotypical actions, to humorous moments, to hold your breath gripping scenes, to eye-rolling sighs, to pursed lips irritation at certain outcomes to finally an unhappy, disappointed feeling for the HFN ending. From the start I loved Sherri’s character. Her wit, attitude, outlook on everything…she was well-grounded and had a lot of sass and moxie and she had no problem speaking her mind. Griffin had to grow on me, but he did by the end. He was brash, overbearing, sexist, close-minded, and his moods gave me whiplash. But towards the end, he redeemed himself and became a more likable character with better traits. One of the downfalls for me in the story was that from the very beginning we have to suffer through endless chapters of Sherri and Griffin fantasizing and having internal conversations about how hot the other is, constantly. It was just a little over the top for me and a lot of it was in inappropriate places. I understand that this was a romantic suspense and you need to toss in a bit of ‘what ifs’ and ‘how I wish’, and ’ooh, he/she’s hot’, etc. but when you are on a firing range holding a gun in your hand and are supposed to be focusing on a critical point of an evaluation, wondering about sex or whatever at that particular time just seems ill-placed. The best part of the story for me was actually when Sherri moved on to training that did not involve Griffin directly at her side and she was able to shine and show everyone what she could do and that she could hold her own. Best part of the book!!! Also, once she and Griffin got things sorted out they seemed to mesh better and the story had a better rhythmic flow. However, right when I was thinking things were starting to look up, the ending took a nosedive that was a disappointment. There was a great build up toward the end, and then it just fell flat. There were a lot of situations left unresolved and some unanswered questions. It was a HFN (happy for now) ending but with the buildup, I was hoping for more.
*I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, and am providing my honest review.
*I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, and am providing my honest review.
July 6, 2019
Check out our
Beyond the Limit
post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Military Romance
Whew, I really enjoyed the pace of this book. Sherri is a take-no-prisoners military woman who goes after what she wants. She has had to overcome her looks and show the men around her that she's more than just a pretty face. But when the opportunity knocks for her to try her skills at becoming a SEAL, she jumps at the chance.
Griffin is a tough, rugged SEAL and he is somewhat set in his ways. When he's called to a top secret assignment, he thinks they'll be shipped out to hunt someone dangerous down, not recalled to help train a few women to become SEALs. There are no women in the SEALs and Griffin believes that's the right call. But as he gets to know the women, he's impressed and awed by their grit and determination.
When a terrorist from his past comes calling, Griffin and his team will have to decide whether or not women can truly help them or if they will turn the women away.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the romance. It built and was steamy without being forced or fake. I am loving the military setting and can't wait to read the next book.
Triggers: Death, Kidnapping, Terrorism
Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Griffin Caldwell is part of the Navy SEALs and his team is his family. When all the members get a message from their commander, they can't believe it is during their brother's wedding. They are all, except the groom, taken to a close airfield and flown off in the darkness of night.
Sherri Tate is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working in DC as the media officer for the Navy but she wants more than to be the pretty face. So she decided she wants to make something of herself that she can be proud of and that being the first female Navy SEAL would do just that.
As Sherri and two other women are trying to get ready to join the group to be Navy SEALs, Griffin and his team will train the three women to see who can make it. As time goes by, Sherri and Griffin grow closer together.
Will Griffin see that Sherri is determined to be a SEAL and help her in the end? Can Sherri show them all that she can be the first female Navy SEAL? What will happen when something goes wrong during one of the training evolutions?
I love good romantic suspense with a killer heroine and alpha hero that makes this story great. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait to read more in this series. If you are looking for a new series with a kick, then this one is for you.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really, really enjoyed this fast-paced, cleverly plotted story. The concept of preparing women to be SEALs, and the reality behind the seemingly good faith measure is really poignantly written. I enjoyed the story from the very first page, and even though I was confident that there would be a satisfying ending, there were some moments of doubt, which caught me unawares.
Giving us an insight into SEAL training, and the brutality to be honest of the methods used – wow, respect. How the three women coped with the intensity and drew on the teams just came over so well. And obviously Skylar – usually called Tate – was an incredible athlete, yet her description of dealing with the pain of stretching herself beyond her limits was crazy. That single-minded commitment is not something that many are blessed with, so reading about it was fascinating. Huge respect to Dees for getting it over with her writing.
Along with all that hard, physical work, were the ups and downs of working so intensely on one's mind. There were some lovely funny moments, and moments of darkness and fear – but all brought to life vividly. Having Grif's input, and his attraction in spite of his annoyance at babysitting these women, did give some idea of why women in the service could cause issues – but he also acknowledged that their strengths were aspects that he had seen lacking when out in the field. I loved that level of detail, it made the book so much richer for me – and was never done in a preachy way, rather fell out of incidents and conversations very naturally.
His constant attraction to Tate and its effect on his body was very funny, and he was swift to say that it was not the outside package, even if that was gorgeous, but her very being. Tate too had a strong desire for him due to his looks, but as they started to work together, a deep level of respect and friendship developed – the fact the chemistry was off the walls was almost a side benefit to their relationship (a great one, but not the only thing holding them together).
I am really excited about the next book in the series already, and will enjoy thinking about Tate and Grif and how they dealt with what they faced, and how it changed them both for the better. Thank you, Cindy Rees, for a special book.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
A female SEAL? Are they crazy? Nope and it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
Grif and his team of Reapers have been assigned to train the first three candidates for BUD/S school. They are not happy about it, thinking this training is going to be more about babysitting than actual training. This was supposed to be their leave and downtime before being assigned another mission.
Sherri Tate is one of the three candidates for SEAL school along with Lilly and Anna. They are excellent soldiers and exemplary athletes.
Grif is assigned to be Sherri's swim buddy. They are never apart during training. Grif does his best to encourage her to quit, to ring the bell, all the while he can't but help noticing that she's all woman. Knowing that any type of relationship between them will not only affect her shot at becoming a SEAL, it would also damage both of their careers. That doesn't stop them from indulging in a little hanky panky when they can get away with it.
When Sherri volunteers to be the first female to attend BUD/S training, she knows that she will become the poster child for the Navy if she passes. She will be paraded around at various events rather than being out in the field with her fellow SEALs.
A series of events befall her during training and when it comes to a head during Hell Week, Sherri must dig down deep to come up with the strength to survive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters herein. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Beyond the Limit (Valkyrie Ops #1) by Cindy Dees to read and review.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Military Romance
Whew, I really enjoyed the pace of this book. Sherri is a take-no-prisoners military woman who goes after what she wants. She has had to overcome her looks and show the men around her that she's more than just a pretty face. But when the opportunity knocks for her to try her skills at becoming a SEAL, she jumps at the chance.
Griffin is a tough, rugged SEAL and he is somewhat set in his ways. When he's called to a top secret assignment, he thinks they'll be shipped out to hunt someone dangerous down, not recalled to help train a few women to become SEALs. There are no women in the SEALs and Griffin believes that's the right call. But as he gets to know the women, he's impressed and awed by their grit and determination.
When a terrorist from his past comes calling, Griffin and his team will have to decide whether or not women can truly help them or if they will turn the women away.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the romance. It built and was steamy without being forced or fake. I am loving the military setting and can't wait to read the next book.
Triggers: Death, Kidnapping, Terrorism
Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Griffin Caldwell is part of the Navy SEALs and his team is his family. When all the members get a message from their commander, they can't believe it is during their brother's wedding. They are all, except the groom, taken to a close airfield and flown off in the darkness of night.
Sherri Tate is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working in DC as the media officer for the Navy but she wants more than to be the pretty face. So she decided she wants to make something of herself that she can be proud of and that being the first female Navy SEAL would do just that.
As Sherri and two other women are trying to get ready to join the group to be Navy SEALs, Griffin and his team will train the three women to see who can make it. As time goes by, Sherri and Griffin grow closer together.
Will Griffin see that Sherri is determined to be a SEAL and help her in the end? Can Sherri show them all that she can be the first female Navy SEAL? What will happen when something goes wrong during one of the training evolutions?
I love good romantic suspense with a killer heroine and alpha hero that makes this story great. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait to read more in this series. If you are looking for a new series with a kick, then this one is for you.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really, really enjoyed this fast-paced, cleverly plotted story. The concept of preparing women to be SEALs, and the reality behind the seemingly good faith measure is really poignantly written. I enjoyed the story from the very first page, and even though I was confident that there would be a satisfying ending, there were some moments of doubt, which caught me unawares.
Giving us an insight into SEAL training, and the brutality to be honest of the methods used – wow, respect. How the three women coped with the intensity and drew on the teams just came over so well. And obviously Skylar – usually called Tate – was an incredible athlete, yet her description of dealing with the pain of stretching herself beyond her limits was crazy. That single-minded commitment is not something that many are blessed with, so reading about it was fascinating. Huge respect to Dees for getting it over with her writing.
Along with all that hard, physical work, were the ups and downs of working so intensely on one's mind. There were some lovely funny moments, and moments of darkness and fear – but all brought to life vividly. Having Grif's input, and his attraction in spite of his annoyance at babysitting these women, did give some idea of why women in the service could cause issues – but he also acknowledged that their strengths were aspects that he had seen lacking when out in the field. I loved that level of detail, it made the book so much richer for me – and was never done in a preachy way, rather fell out of incidents and conversations very naturally.
His constant attraction to Tate and its effect on his body was very funny, and he was swift to say that it was not the outside package, even if that was gorgeous, but her very being. Tate too had a strong desire for him due to his looks, but as they started to work together, a deep level of respect and friendship developed – the fact the chemistry was off the walls was almost a side benefit to their relationship (a great one, but not the only thing holding them together).
I am really excited about the next book in the series already, and will enjoy thinking about Tate and Grif and how they dealt with what they faced, and how it changed them both for the better. Thank you, Cindy Rees, for a special book.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
A female SEAL? Are they crazy? Nope and it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
Grif and his team of Reapers have been assigned to train the first three candidates for BUD/S school. They are not happy about it, thinking this training is going to be more about babysitting than actual training. This was supposed to be their leave and downtime before being assigned another mission.
Sherri Tate is one of the three candidates for SEAL school along with Lilly and Anna. They are excellent soldiers and exemplary athletes.
Grif is assigned to be Sherri's swim buddy. They are never apart during training. Grif does his best to encourage her to quit, to ring the bell, all the while he can't but help noticing that she's all woman. Knowing that any type of relationship between them will not only affect her shot at becoming a SEAL, it would also damage both of their careers. That doesn't stop them from indulging in a little hanky panky when they can get away with it.
When Sherri volunteers to be the first female to attend BUD/S training, she knows that she will become the poster child for the Navy if she passes. She will be paraded around at various events rather than being out in the field with her fellow SEALs.
A series of events befall her during training and when it comes to a head during Hell Week, Sherri must dig down deep to come up with the strength to survive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters herein. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Beyond the Limit (Valkyrie Ops #1) by Cindy Dees to read and review.
June 2, 2019
I was blown away with how much I enjoyed this story -- so much so, once I started I kept going till I was done late last night!
It's always been an intriguing consideration for me, working through the feelings, beliefs, reality, and politics of women in special forces/front lines of combat. I appreciated how the author dealt with everything, and how we got multiple views and opinions - and we see how the characters worked through their opinions - specifically watching Griffin sort through things and Sherri proving herself (and I'll be honest - I was in awe of how she dealt with everything tossed at her).
I enjoyed watching the heat build between Sherri and Griffin - from insta-attraction to head-over-heals - it felt real and raw and honest, even with the struggle to express it or understand exactly how to balance the desires with responsibilities. I also loved seeing the respect that grew, not only between Sherri and Griffin, but between the Reaper Team, the other women trainees, and the SEAL community (instructors, fellow team mates, etc.) Something about the SEAL family keeps me coming back for more. I also loved the glimpse into the raw and realities of being a special operator - just what it takes to make it, what you're willing to sacrifice, and the dichotomy between your head and heart, the adrenaline highs and the heart-shattering lows.
Beyond the Limit is the kind of story that will capture your attention and drag you along in a thought-provoking journey, delivering not only a well-earned happily-ever-after, but a greater appreciation for the realities of the special few warriors who live out "the only easy day was yesterday".
It's always been an intriguing consideration for me, working through the feelings, beliefs, reality, and politics of women in special forces/front lines of combat. I appreciated how the author dealt with everything, and how we got multiple views and opinions - and we see how the characters worked through their opinions - specifically watching Griffin sort through things and Sherri proving herself (and I'll be honest - I was in awe of how she dealt with everything tossed at her).
I enjoyed watching the heat build between Sherri and Griffin - from insta-attraction to head-over-heals - it felt real and raw and honest, even with the struggle to express it or understand exactly how to balance the desires with responsibilities. I also loved seeing the respect that grew, not only between Sherri and Griffin, but between the Reaper Team, the other women trainees, and the SEAL community (instructors, fellow team mates, etc.) Something about the SEAL family keeps me coming back for more. I also loved the glimpse into the raw and realities of being a special operator - just what it takes to make it, what you're willing to sacrifice, and the dichotomy between your head and heart, the adrenaline highs and the heart-shattering lows.
Beyond the Limit is the kind of story that will capture your attention and drag you along in a thought-provoking journey, delivering not only a well-earned happily-ever-after, but a greater appreciation for the realities of the special few warriors who live out "the only easy day was yesterday".
June 25, 2019
Beyond the Limit is book one in Cindy Dees’ new Valkyrie Ops series. This is an action-packed military romantic suspense novel with no cheating and a happily ever after. Both the hero and heroine in this story are good, strong characters with strong morals and personalities. Love the storyline!
Sherri Tate, navy media officer and former Miss Congeniality, wants to become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs. But first she has to prove to Griffin Caldwell and his Navy SEALs teammates, the Reapers, that she can compete with the big boys. Griffin has a hard time believing that a female can be all she can be and work successfully with men in the field, but as time passes, Sherri begins to change his views. From first sight, the attraction and chemistry between Griffin and Sherri was instant and intense but when disaster strikes, will they have a chance to become more? Can their bond save the day? Read it to find out!
I discovered Cindy Dees and this series while searching netgallery. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. I love action packed, military stories with a side of romance and a whole lot of chemistry. I especially love the fact that the heroines in this series are just as strong and determined as the heroes. Dees is a phenomenal writer, who’s story telling ability keeps you hanging as you go page by page. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.
Sherri Tate, navy media officer and former Miss Congeniality, wants to become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs. But first she has to prove to Griffin Caldwell and his Navy SEALs teammates, the Reapers, that she can compete with the big boys. Griffin has a hard time believing that a female can be all she can be and work successfully with men in the field, but as time passes, Sherri begins to change his views. From first sight, the attraction and chemistry between Griffin and Sherri was instant and intense but when disaster strikes, will they have a chance to become more? Can their bond save the day? Read it to find out!
I discovered Cindy Dees and this series while searching netgallery. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. I love action packed, military stories with a side of romance and a whole lot of chemistry. I especially love the fact that the heroines in this series are just as strong and determined as the heroes. Dees is a phenomenal writer, who’s story telling ability keeps you hanging as you go page by page. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.
April 20, 2023
From the publisher’s website, this book sounded like it was a perfect match for my taste in reading material. It almost was. Author CINDY DEES has written a few different series and this was my first “read” of her books. BEYOND THE LIMIT is book one in her series Operation Valkyrie which follows U.S. Navy Seal Team “Reaper” as they train, chase terrorists, kidnappers and other bad people. That was what intrigued me. What I did not realize until I got into the story was that it was also a Romance and not just a Military Thriller. The Romance aspect is not part of my reading menu. I coped with that. The Military Thriller part was what kept me enthralled.
Platoon Leader of the United States Navy’s SEAL team Reaper is Master Chief Petty Officer Griffin Caldwell who has a Master’s Degree in Military History from Harvard University. He is also a poster boy for the SEALs. Good looking, smart, athletic, skilled in military arts; a perfect match for his job. Also on the Team are Leo Lipinski (newly wed to Janice), Axel Adams (a mountain of a man), Ken Singleton (a would be country music singer), Trevor Westbrook (on loan from the British S.A.S. special forces), Sam Dorsey (the youngest member) and Joaquin “JoJo” Romero. Their Commanding Officer is Commander Calvin Kettering, USN.
The team, minus Leo who has just gotten married, are flown in secret to Camp Jarvis on the North Carolina coast. There they are to take part in the top-secret Operation Valkyrie. The first stage of the operation is to pre-train three outstanding female athletes so that they can enter the training program for SEALS known as BUD/S. These will be the first women to enter this rigid and elite training program. The Team believes they are destined to fail because of SEAL attitudes towards women operators.
The three women are Sherri Tate, Lily Van Dyke and Anna Marlow. All are world-class athletes in different sports. Sherri had been a Pentagon (Defense Department) spokesperson before being selected. She is a United States Navy Lieutenant, competes in heptathlons and is a former beauty pageant queen winner. Lily is a former gymnast, is quite petite and is very strong for her size. Anna was a competitive distance runner, I think. In the end, Sherri volunteers to be the first to enter the official training program because everybody knows (except her) that she will not pass the test because SEALs do not want women on their Teams. Her ability to speak in public is one of her strong points.
Before that happens, four “Team” members are sent on a mission to kill or capture Abu Haddad whom they had encountered before. He was number one on their hit list. While the rest of the training team watch and listen in North Carolina, the mission goes awry.
Sherri and Griffin are then sent to Coronado, California, near San Diego, where the BUD/S training base is located. A romantic relationship exists between the two but Caldwell, as a trainer, has to keep his feelings in tow. If he does not, both characters would be asked to leave the SEALs.
The reader will go through the training program with Sherri and her fellow trainees. The author had spoken to people who knew what this training entailed and she explains it well. There were times when this reader was cold and tired from reading about the training rigors. Well done!
During the last night of training, Sherri is kidnapped and her return is to be accomplished by exchanging her for Griffin. You can guess how that was received by the SEALs.
In all honesty, I skipped most of the Romantic passages in the book. Not my thing. I cannot wait to read more of the series because I think the Military action is first class. I am happy that I read this book. If you like Military Thrillers, you will like that part of the book. If are a fan of Romances, you will like that part of the book. In both cases, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading because of the outstanding writing.
GO! BUY! READ!
Platoon Leader of the United States Navy’s SEAL team Reaper is Master Chief Petty Officer Griffin Caldwell who has a Master’s Degree in Military History from Harvard University. He is also a poster boy for the SEALs. Good looking, smart, athletic, skilled in military arts; a perfect match for his job. Also on the Team are Leo Lipinski (newly wed to Janice), Axel Adams (a mountain of a man), Ken Singleton (a would be country music singer), Trevor Westbrook (on loan from the British S.A.S. special forces), Sam Dorsey (the youngest member) and Joaquin “JoJo” Romero. Their Commanding Officer is Commander Calvin Kettering, USN.
The team, minus Leo who has just gotten married, are flown in secret to Camp Jarvis on the North Carolina coast. There they are to take part in the top-secret Operation Valkyrie. The first stage of the operation is to pre-train three outstanding female athletes so that they can enter the training program for SEALS known as BUD/S. These will be the first women to enter this rigid and elite training program. The Team believes they are destined to fail because of SEAL attitudes towards women operators.
The three women are Sherri Tate, Lily Van Dyke and Anna Marlow. All are world-class athletes in different sports. Sherri had been a Pentagon (Defense Department) spokesperson before being selected. She is a United States Navy Lieutenant, competes in heptathlons and is a former beauty pageant queen winner. Lily is a former gymnast, is quite petite and is very strong for her size. Anna was a competitive distance runner, I think. In the end, Sherri volunteers to be the first to enter the official training program because everybody knows (except her) that she will not pass the test because SEALs do not want women on their Teams. Her ability to speak in public is one of her strong points.
Before that happens, four “Team” members are sent on a mission to kill or capture Abu Haddad whom they had encountered before. He was number one on their hit list. While the rest of the training team watch and listen in North Carolina, the mission goes awry.
Sherri and Griffin are then sent to Coronado, California, near San Diego, where the BUD/S training base is located. A romantic relationship exists between the two but Caldwell, as a trainer, has to keep his feelings in tow. If he does not, both characters would be asked to leave the SEALs.
The reader will go through the training program with Sherri and her fellow trainees. The author had spoken to people who knew what this training entailed and she explains it well. There were times when this reader was cold and tired from reading about the training rigors. Well done!
During the last night of training, Sherri is kidnapped and her return is to be accomplished by exchanging her for Griffin. You can guess how that was received by the SEALs.
In all honesty, I skipped most of the Romantic passages in the book. Not my thing. I cannot wait to read more of the series because I think the Military action is first class. I am happy that I read this book. If you like Military Thrillers, you will like that part of the book. If are a fan of Romances, you will like that part of the book. In both cases, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading because of the outstanding writing.
GO! BUY! READ!
June 27, 2019
4 Star Limit
He’s not happy with his team’s top-secret mission, training the first female SEALs and Griffin Caldwell is determined to prove that his former beauty queen trainee doesn’t have what it takes to join the world’s most elite warrior’s club. Navy media officer Sherri Tate has been given the opportunity to achieve her dream of becoming a SEAL and she won’t let anything stand in her way, not even her sexy, arrogant trainer.
The first book in the Valkyrie Ops series is a surprisingly powerful read. The characters are strong, bold and take no enemies in their quest to achieve their goals, exactly what you expect from a SEAL right… But the chemistry between these two is off the charts magnetic and has sparks flying in every direction. The relationship off course has a couple of major snags that just may prove to be impossible to overcome, the trainee and trainer relationship and the fact that Griffin doesn’t think females belong in the SEALs, so this keeps lots of emotional turbulence flowing from the pages even as the passion is building to volcanic proportions.
But this fast paced plot is more than a just a romance, this story is about something that the majority of the world feels is impossible… a female becoming a SEAL. The author builds the suspense of the achievement throughout the story and the story pulls readers in ensuring that readers become completely engaged in the lives of these characters as the author has portrayed it in an informative with lots of details to make it realistic and yet not so many to make it boring or overdone. The story also has several twist that adds danger and excitement to the story so, there is no way for a readers to lose interest in this powerfully explosive and emotionally gripping read.
He’s not happy with his team’s top-secret mission, training the first female SEALs and Griffin Caldwell is determined to prove that his former beauty queen trainee doesn’t have what it takes to join the world’s most elite warrior’s club. Navy media officer Sherri Tate has been given the opportunity to achieve her dream of becoming a SEAL and she won’t let anything stand in her way, not even her sexy, arrogant trainer.
The first book in the Valkyrie Ops series is a surprisingly powerful read. The characters are strong, bold and take no enemies in their quest to achieve their goals, exactly what you expect from a SEAL right… But the chemistry between these two is off the charts magnetic and has sparks flying in every direction. The relationship off course has a couple of major snags that just may prove to be impossible to overcome, the trainee and trainer relationship and the fact that Griffin doesn’t think females belong in the SEALs, so this keeps lots of emotional turbulence flowing from the pages even as the passion is building to volcanic proportions.
But this fast paced plot is more than a just a romance, this story is about something that the majority of the world feels is impossible… a female becoming a SEAL. The author builds the suspense of the achievement throughout the story and the story pulls readers in ensuring that readers become completely engaged in the lives of these characters as the author has portrayed it in an informative with lots of details to make it realistic and yet not so many to make it boring or overdone. The story also has several twist that adds danger and excitement to the story so, there is no way for a readers to lose interest in this powerfully explosive and emotionally gripping read.
June 27, 2019
He’s not happy with his team’s top-secret mission, training the first female SEALs and Griffin Caldwell is determined to prove that his former beauty queen trainee doesn’t have what it takes to join the world’s most elite warrior’s club. Navy media officer Sherri Tate has been given the opportunity to achieve her dream of becoming a SEAL and she won’t let anything stand in her way, not even her sexy, arrogant trainer.
The first book in the Valkyrie Ops series is a surprisingly powerful read. The characters are strong, bold and take no enemies in their quest to achieve their goals, exactly what you expect from a SEAL right… But the chemistry between these two is off the charts magnetic and has sparks flying in every direction. The relationship off course has a couple of major snags that just may prove to be impossible to overcome, the trainee and trainer relationship and the fact that Griffin doesn’t think females belong in the SEALs, so this keeps lots of emotional turbulence flowing from the pages even as the passion is building to volcanic proportions.
But this fast paced plot is more than a just a romance, this story is about something that the majority of the world feels is impossible… a female becoming a SEAL. The author builds the suspense of the achievement throughout the story and the story pulls readers in ensuring that readers become completely engaged in the lives of these characters as the author has portrayed it in an informative with lots of details to make it realistic and yet not so many to make it boring or overdone. The story also has several twist that adds danger and excitement to the story so, there is no way for a readers to lose interest in this powerfully explosive and emotionally gripping read.
The first book in the Valkyrie Ops series is a surprisingly powerful read. The characters are strong, bold and take no enemies in their quest to achieve their goals, exactly what you expect from a SEAL right… But the chemistry between these two is off the charts magnetic and has sparks flying in every direction. The relationship off course has a couple of major snags that just may prove to be impossible to overcome, the trainee and trainer relationship and the fact that Griffin doesn’t think females belong in the SEALs, so this keeps lots of emotional turbulence flowing from the pages even as the passion is building to volcanic proportions.
But this fast paced plot is more than a just a romance, this story is about something that the majority of the world feels is impossible… a female becoming a SEAL. The author builds the suspense of the achievement throughout the story and the story pulls readers in ensuring that readers become completely engaged in the lives of these characters as the author has portrayed it in an informative with lots of details to make it realistic and yet not so many to make it boring or overdone. The story also has several twist that adds danger and excitement to the story so, there is no way for a readers to lose interest in this powerfully explosive and emotionally gripping read.
July 7, 2021
Beyond the Limit is the first installment of a new series by Ms. Dees, Valkyrie Ops. I fell in love with this story it was exhilarating to read and I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were well writing and I was able to connect with them all. Sherrie Tate and Griffin Caldwell were perfect together but they had some obstacles to overcome. Sherrie was of course as the synopsis said “Miss Congeniality, but she was more than that she was a force to be reckon with. They had no idea that someone like her would be able to stand as much as she did to prove that she could be a SEAL just like any other man. Then there is Griffen a man of steel that drove Sherrie into the ground because according to him and other jerk heads woman couldn’t be a SEAL. The SEALs training the women were going to be surprised on how well they did but Griffen was going to see how spectacular Sherri was. Sherri was going to make it through everything as a SEAL should but she was going to break at a certain point and that’s when she will doubt herself. She knew that the higher ups didn’t actually plan to use them as a true SEAL but she wanted to prove them wrong. As more time passed Griffen was going to be in awe with her and little by little he was going to start to wonder if she could truly be a SEAL whether she would die for her brother. As their training continues tragedy happens and she knows what she needs to do she will sacrifice herself and will be the poster woman SEAL the higher ups are looking for. She has no idea what she signed herself up for. Griffen’s worst nightmare happens during Hell Week and all hell breaks loose.
All I can say is this story is so worth missing a couple of hours of sleep. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
All I can say is this story is so worth missing a couple of hours of sleep. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
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