Then check out these 12 riveting books from bestselling authors for lovers of military romantic suspense with sexy alpha heroes.
Plus, includes a recipe from each author!
Authors' Note: RECIPE FOR DANGER is a limited time boxed set for the holiday season. It is a gift to our readers of our previously-released books--a way to introduce you to new series to love!
Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy romantic suspense, military romance, and new adult. Fans voted her onto Amazon's Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller.
Each Titan and Delta book can be read as a standalone (except for Sweet Girl), but readers will likely best enjoy the series in order. The Only series must be read in order.
7 Brides for 7 Soldiers: Ryder (#1) - Barbara Freethy Adam (#2) - Roxanne St. Claire Zane (#3) - Christie Ridgway Wyatt (#4) - Lynn Raye Harris Jack (#5) - Julia London Noah (#6) - Cristin Harber Ford (#7) - Samantha Chase
This collection of 12 romantic suspense books is currently free to download on amazon. It’ll only be available for December so grab it now if you want it!
It includes the following full length novels plus a recipe from each author:
HOT & Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris Déjà Vu by Cristin Harber Never Let Go by Cynthia Eden Miami, Mistletoe & Murder by Katie Reus Cyclone by Janie Crouch Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross Serial Love by Maryann Jordan Soldier's Duty by Elle James Montana Guardian by Kris Michaels Breaking His Code by Patricia D. Eddy Declan by Caitlyn O'Leary
The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point). Kindle freebie on December 2, 2019 (currently unavailable to purchase as of writing this post)
Overall 3.5 hearts
This is a little different because it is an anthology of complete books so I am working on the books, which are first in the series, or the first of the series if I have it.
One of the books included in the anthology is Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross, which I have already reviewed. I have also gone on to read the entire Crimson Point series and enjoyed it quite a lot.
Cyclone by Janie Crouch
The story setup here is a common one for ex-military men, often friends since before they military. The setting is a smaller town in Wyoming (but big enough to have a hospital). The retired military guys and their friends have a business Linear Tactical. The Linear Tactical series is the romantic suspense stories as the guys each find their HEA.
Cyclone starts with the story of Zac, a hometown guy, who is a widower with unfinished business with his wife's best friend, Annie. He's a caring guy who went through hell when a drunk driver killed his wife and son.
Annie is the wife's best friend from high school. She's always been shy, a quiet lover of books. She went on to get her medical degree. She's back in her hometown of Oak Creek as a new emergency room doctor.
Zac and Annie had a friendship in high school but had an incident shortly after his wife's funeral. They were both emotional and didn't communicate well. Now they are both respected people in their hometown. This story gives us their past and present as they work things out into a new relationship, and we learn their characters as they grow.
There is also the world building of the town of Oak Creek and some key citizens, and the hospital staff, and Linear Tactical team. The actual work at Linear Tactical is fascinating with classes in self-defense and survival skills, and some law enforcement skills.
I enjoyed Cyclone as a solid start to a series in a genre I like. I am not sure everything felt quite realistic but mostly it seemed believable. I hope to read more.
Breaking His Code by Patricia D. Eddy
I picked Breaking His Code next, which starts the Away from Keyboard series. I hadn't read this author previously and I liked the idea of a story with technology. Overall, I liked the book but it didn't do enough for me on either story layer.
The technology was interesting but it didn't really go into it in any depth. There was a nice gaming aspect, although I am not a gamer. I picked up on the problem right away which took Cam a few weeks to grasp.
The relationship had the same problem for me as another book I read recently. This couple met online and enjoyed each other, talking and gaming. But in the other book I read, we were there for all that fun and banter. Here the story starts with that in the past, and they are having their first face to face meet. As in the other book I read, this has its ups and downs but focuses primarily on sex and each one trying to decide if they are going to trust the other.
Both Cam and West have serious challenges at work and go this part alone, working through their problems and growing personally but without the other's presence or support. Then they come together, and it's the end. (This is the same as the other book's pacing) I would have liked to see a bit more of the relationship together, not much but at least a few pages of them together and communicating.
The story has its chapters from each point of view so we do get a good development of both Cam and West. I like these characters. I needed a little more buildup of their connection. I think I will read on in the series, as it looks like the next book, In Her Sights, has one of each of their colleagues as a main character. So we might get peeks at how Cam and West manage their challenges going forward.
Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson
I picked this one to read next because it is shorter at 196 pages. Hot Billionaire for Hire is categorized as a romantic comedy. Sadly, there was nothing I found funny or even believable. I didn't connect with any of the characters and the "mystery" made no sense to me.
The anthology Recipe for Danger is more romantic suspense, and it does fit that genre a bit better. Hot Billionaire for Hire is not the book for me.
Declan by Caitlyn O'Leary
Declan starts with a flashback to when he was active duty as an Army Ranger. Apparently this is a spin-off to a previous series, which makes sense, because I felt slightly like I was dropping in at the end of a series. There are a lot of characters.
I enjoyed the world and could have used just a bit longer book to develop at least the main characters even more. The book is mostly Declan's POV. We get some of the time Allie is not with him but not really her thoughts. There relationship is fast, maybe too fast. I like both of them and how much they care about others, especially children.
The world events and mystery are all a bit vague. We don't learn everything about the Shadow Alliance or all the projects. The current flooding in Paraguay and the various problems there are sad and the team does their best to deal with them. The long term vendetta is coming to a head. Declan and Allie together along with many others on the team are needed to solve it and it's dangerous to the end.
While Declan is listed as the first in the series, there don't seem to be any more books five years later. I'm a bit sad as I think I would read more.
*****Recipe for Danger by Various: A lot of good stories! I read every story in this analogy and more than half are 5 stars, with only a few 3 stars or less. My individual story reviews are:
*****Cyclone by Janie Crouch: loved this story This story pulled me in from the start. It’s sweet, and heartwarming, within a small town setting - and all the good, the bad, and the ugly. Strong characters, second chances, and serial crimes. And a nice HEA. Really good!
*****Hot & Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris: a good read! A love story with intrigue, danger, and steam. Great friendships and likable characters. It pulled me in from the start and kept my interest throughout.
****Deja Vu by Cristin Harber: Pretty good Amnesia vs ingrained instincts. An immediate connection under less than ideal circumstances. So many questions... And an assassination attempt. Who to trust? The characters were likable, and the chemistry good, but the storyline left me with some questions.
*****Never Let Go by Cynthia Eden: I stayed up late to read it straight through This story is a fast paced and engrossing read with an engaging storyline that’s different and a bit twisty with surprises. Well written!
****Declan by Caitlyn O’Leary: pretty good This story was interesting, with lots of action, threats, and twists. Loved all the characters and the great HEA. It may have just been me, but I didn’t feel the sizzle…
***Miami, Mistletoe and Murder by Katie Reus: sweet but predictable I liked the characters, and their chemistry was good. Just the right amount of heat, with a nice HEA. But the back story was mostly blasé.
***Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson: just ok This story never really pulled me in, and I skimmed a lot….
*****Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross: very good This is a very good story, that is well written and kept my interest… but it has a lot of heartbreak that could be a trigger for some. It’s heartwarming as well, with a great circle of characters, and ends with a perfect HEA.
****Serial Love by Maryann Jordan: good storyline! A good storyline with a wonderful circle of family and friends (but the writing seemed stilted at times.) This is a love story, with a backstory serial killer investigation that is close to home, but not easily discovered. A really nice HEA!
***Soldier’s Duty by Elle James: somewhat entertaining The H/h chemistry was good, with a very nice circle of characters. However, the storyline didn’t quite work for several reasons. The “reason for leaving” didn’t resonate with me (central to the story). Not to mention the domino reasons that come to light… the timeline was not believable with so much happening in a short timeframe. ***SpoilerAlert: 3 deaths/murders over 13 years/just now coming to light, committed by 3 different people, an unknown accessory to a robbery/prison escape, a missing good guy/dead?, an arsenic poisoning for unknown reasons - by an unknown person, etc.*** The story ended with a HEA for the H/h after 4 days (estranged for 13 years), but. MANY unanswered questions. I guess those answers come in continuing the series? Overall, interesting and somewhat entertaining, but too ambitious.
*****Montana Guardian by Kris Michaels: good! I liked this novella. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, tragic, sweet. It has a fine edge, a perfect redemption and a wonderful HEA.
*****Breaking His Code by Patricia D. Eddy: Very good This story is intense, with an edge, a good pace, and a great cast of characters. —PTATORS
HOT & Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris 214 pages -He can never have her. Having her means the end of his career in the Hostile Operations Team. But when he learns she’s carrying his child, he’ll have to make a choice… Ryan “Flash” Gordon has been drawn to Emily Royal bin Yusuf since the first moment he met her. But she’s a terrorist’s widow, which means she’s completely off-limits. A HOT special operator can never be with a woman whose name is on government watch lists the world over. But when Emily begs him for just one night, he can’t refuse. The next morning, she’s gone. Not just from his bed, but from his life. Emily can never clear her name—or can she? When a rogue CIA operative offers her a chance to put her past behind her and do something for her country, she leaps at the opportunity—even though it means leaving behind the man she’s fallen in love with. But not before she lets herself have one night with him. One night with stunning consequences.
Déjà Vu by Cristin Harber 104 pages. 3 stars
Never Let Go by Cynthia Eden (*I own the single book).
Miami, Mistletoe & Murder by Katie Reus (*I own another copy - 4 stars)
Cyclone by Janie Crouch 278 pages 4 stars
Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson 200 pages"I owe you one." I didn’t realize when I said that to my Navy SEAL buddy he’d actually collect on the debt. Or that it could cost me my life. I'm Brent Hearst, for God's sake. A member of the one percent. As in old family money. Yet somehow I'm standing here, smiling while there’s a gun strapped to my leg ruining the line of my Italian suit. But my real issue isn’t with that gun. Oh, no. It’s my other weapon I can’t control when I’m around the sexy-as-sin brunette who might or might not be a spy. It seems I don’t care which while I’ve got her against the wall with my hand fisted in her hair. Oh, and while I figure out if I’ve been sleeping with the enemy, I’ve also got to keep us both from being killed by a couple of gun-toting Russians. No problem.
Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross * Own, read 3.75 stars
Serial Love by Maryann Jordan 334 pagesJack Bryant left the Special Forces to begin his private investigation business. Pulling together like-minded men from the CIA, FBI, ATF, DEA, Border Patrol, SEALs, and police, they were devoted to the missions that no one else wanted or could solve. When the Campus Killer strikes again, Jack’s team is tasked by the Governor to find the killer, using whatever means they can. While following the trail of the serial killer, he becomes entangled in the life of the beautiful woman living next to his property. Bethany Bridwell moved in with her grandmother to take over running Mountville Cabin Rentals. She had no time for the handsome, mysterious man living next door who continued to intrude into her life...and her thoughts. Jack battled his growing feelings for Bethany, worried his life would not allow for the white-picket-fence world she deserved. But he was unable to stay away. When the trail of the Campus Killer strikes close to home, can Jack protect Bethany long enough to give her what she needs? ****Due to scenes of an explicit sexual nature and language that some consider crude, please be warned - for 18+ only! If you do not like alphas with heart who fall instantly in love with strong female characters while dealing with real life issues...again be warned!!
Soldier's Duty by Elle James 266 pagesWhen their father disappeared into the Crazy Mountains, the McKinnon boys had to grow up fast. Angus McKinnon, the oldest, had just completed his fourth deployment with the elite Delta Forces when he was called home. He ended his Army career to return to the family ranch and help his mother. He was supposed to come back and marry his girlfriend, but she hadn’t waited for him. After he left to join the military, she left, too. Regret burns hot in Angus over leaving his military career and brothers in arms, as well as for losing the girl he loved. Bree Lansing was brokenhearted when Angus left to join the military. Though she promised to wait for his return on leave, fate played an evil hand. During a confrontation with her stepfather in the barn, he fell and she left vowing never to return. Later she learned the barn burned with her stepfather in it. Bree moves to Alaska and starts a new life there. She refuses to regret her stepfather’s death, but fears returning to Montana, afraid she’ll be charged with killing him. When her mother falls ill, Bree must return home and face her guilt and fear while keeping the man she once loved at a distance. She can’t let him close when her secrets could ruin her life and his by association. With Bree back in town, Angus dares to dream of a happily-ever-after. If only he can convince her that he never stopped loving her, even though she didn’t wait. What he doesn’t understand is how accident-prone she’s become since she’s returned. When the accidents turn near deadly, he pulls Bree into his protective embrace. Sparks fly and the years melt away, leaving their emotions fiery and raw. Someone is trying to kill Bree, but perhaps more troubling is the desire building between them, hotter than even in their teenaged years. Together, they fight to keep Bree alive and discover the culprit behind the attacks. In the process, they unearth a clue about the disappearance of the Iron Horse patriarch.
Montana Guardian by Kris Michaels 102 pages. 3.25 stars Graphic violence against women.
Breaking His Code by Patricia D. Eddy 3 DEPRESSING stars * I own the single book
Declan by Caitlyn O'Leary 223 pagesI believe in three things: loyalty to my friends, helping those in need and the end justifies the means. Some serious shit went down when I was in the Army. I mean brutal. After my last tour, I created the Shadow Alliance. Me and my team know how to get things done, and will take on all those jobs that others won’t. My name is Declan McAllister and when it comes to keeping people safe, I’m your man. Mess with me and I will rain hell-fire on you like you’ve never experienced before. Few things get my motor running like beauty and brains. Okay, a nice ass doesn’t hurt either. Getting a chance to work with FBI Agent Allison Davies, who is the whole package, normally would be great, except when she followed my butt down to the flood ravaged country of Paraguay to track down a traitor, and ends up putting her career on the line.>/i>
Now here we are attempting to keep things professional, but the more I watch Allison pour her heart and soul into this case, the more I want to see what that same passion would be like between the sheets.
I grabbed this anthology of military-based romances because I'm a big fan of Patricia Eddy's and wanted to read some other new-to-me authors, such as Elle James, Kris Michaels, and Caitlyn O'Leary. There are also stories by Katie Reus, Janie Crouch, Maryann Jordan, Cynthia Eden, Kris Michaels, Kaylea Cross, Kristin Harber, and Lynn Raye Harris within the pages. I read them all, all of the stories were good. As with all anthologies, I liked some better than others, but all were enjoyable, and there wasn't a one that I would rated under 4 stars.
The added bonus is the good recipes for all sorts of good food submitted by each of the authors. We have cheesecake, casserole, one pan dinner, cookies!!!, smores, pie!!!! and...Bailey's Salted Caramel Coffee. Sigh...yes, I ate my way through this book. :-)
I enjoy a good military romance, one that has been researched well, is down to earth, and doesn't go way over the top. Who doesn't like a sweaty soldier? I love 'em. And this anthology was just what the doctor ordered - combine soldiers, with romance, with food...what more could I have possibly wanted?
Every book in the boxed set was a thrilling read! I got thoroughly caught up in each suspenseful story. The authors are all very talented and know how to write realistic and compelling military romances.
As an added bonus, at the end of each book the author shares a favorite recipe of hers. So, you get yummy recipes alongside great stories!
I highly recommend Recipe for Danger: A Collection of Military Romantic Suspense Books.
TWELVE BOOKS INCLUDE: Hot & Bothered (Hostile Operations Team, #8) by Lynn Raye Harris Deja Vu (Titan, #7.5) by Cristin Harber Never Let Go (Lazarus Rising, #1) by Cynthia Eden Miami, Mistletoe & Murder (Red Stone Security, #4) by Katie Reus Cyclone (Linear Tactical, #1) by Janie Crouch Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson Fractured Honor (Crimson Point, #1) by Kaylea Cross Serial Love (Saints Protection & Investigation, #1) by Maryann Jordan Soldier's Duty (Iron Horse Legacy, #1) by Elle James Montana Guardian (Kings of Guardian, #10.5) by Kris Michaels Breaking His Code (Away From Keyboard, #1) by Patricia D. Eddy Declan (Shadow Alliance, #1) by Caitlyn O'Leary
Finally read most of the books in this anthology. I had previously read some of the individual books and have left my reviews accordingly. I was enjoying this anthology until I reached Caitlin O’Leary’s, Declan. The book was so long with so many characters and side plots it left me exhausted to continue reading the rest of the anthology for a few months. Needless to say I resumed reading and have decided I won’t be continuing to finish the rest of the stories (which I know is unfair to the authors’ whose stories have been placed towards the latter half of the anthology), namely the books by Maryann Jordan, Elle James and Kris Michaels.
I may pick up these remaining books at a later date but for now I’m marking this anthology as finished.
I received this book for free and no obligation whatsoever. I'm reviewing it cause I like it
A good anthology. Had very good stories and 1 no so good. But, it's a solid Anthology.
Cyclone by Janie Crouch ⭐⭐⭐⭐ HOT & Bothered by Lynn Raye Harris ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Déjà Vu by Cristin Harber ⭐⭐⭐ Never Let Go by Cynthia Eden ⭐⭐⭐ Declan by Caitlyn O'Leary ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Miami, Mistletoe & Murder by Katie Reus ⭐⭐⭐ Hot Billionaire for Hire by Cat Johnson⭐⭐ Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross⭐⭐⭐ Serial Love by Maryann Jordan⭐⭐⭐⭐ Soldier's Duty by Elle James⭐⭐⭐⭐ Montana Guardian by Kris Michaels⭐⭐⭐⭐ Breaking His Code by Patricia D. Eddy⭐⭐
This has twelve very hot stories evolving around very hot alpha men. Each is a standalone story which can be in a series of books by each author. I have read many books by several authors here. But a few were new to me. Each were military romance and enough angst, suspense and hot bedroom scene to keep you reading. But when you get a recipe from the authors at the end you are very blessed indeed.
Every flavor you could imagine in this exceptional collection by some of the best authors known. No matter whether they are new to you or part of your literary library you won't be disappointed with the stories...and recipes....they have contributed.
Hits close to home. I have four warriors that have and are serving their country. It breaks my heart when these men and women serve only to find that services to help them call short in so many ways. I pray for all of them. But I digress. Loved the romance, drama and glimpse of heroism.
freebie, so many great authors are included in this anthology ... great times. love finding new authors that i might not have ever known or seen before ... well done!! look forward to reading more from each of these amazing authors!!
Not a bad story in the batch! Great characters and plenty of action! Each story had great characters and great story lines. Lots of romance and some steam! All of these authors are fantastic! Loved it!
That is one of the best compilations of books that I have read and amazingly, there was only one that I had previously read. All are excellent, full length books written by fantastic authors. This compilation does not disappoint.
The stories collected here are a fantastic variety with some that really take you by surprise. Lots of action throughout and well worth reading. Very enjoyable.
All were great stories written by talented authors. I have purchased and read some of the books already. Some of the authors were new to me but I will be looking forward to reading more of their books.
Lots of action and passion in each book. Some even contain suspense and intrigue to further engage your mind. I even discovered a new author to include as a favorite to follow!
Some of these stories I did not like, but most were good to excellent, and a couple had me in tears multiple times. All are stand alone, a couple are very short, but the longer ones made up for that, and they all have happy endings.
A couple of authors in here I've already read their books but others I haven't. A great collection of military reads. Danger, love and Hea are in these books.