Dylan Prey is willing to risk her life and her cover to help Homeland Security and the CIA bring wanted terrorist Carol O’Brien to justice. Deep undercover inside the Russian mafia, Dylan does whatever it takes to secure her place in the mafia’s upper ranks. Finding love amidst the lies, manipulation, and violence isn’t easy.
NSA cyberstalker Emma Quinn has just joined the team responsible for taking down O’Brien’s top lieutenants, but they'll need every ounce of her genius to find and capture O’Brien herself. Emma is shy, awkward, and brilliant. Dylan is fierce, charismatic, and unyielding. Their dynamic is exactly what the team needs to complete the mission, but it spells disaster for the attraction that simmers between them.
The race is on to bring Carol O’Brien to justice before more lives are lost. Friendships will be tested, relationships strained, and one of the team may pay the ultimate price.
Jackie D was born and raised in the San Francisco, east bay area of California. She lives with her wife, their son, and their many furry companions. She earned a bachelor's degree in recreation administration and a dual master's degree in management and public administration. She is a Navy veteran and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a flight deck director, onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
She spends her free time with her wife, friends, family, and their incredibly needy dogs. She enjoys playing golf but is resigned to the fact she would equally enjoy any sport where drinking beer is encouraged during gameplay. Her first book, Infiltration, was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award. Her fourth book, Lucy's Chance, won a Goldie in 2018.
Jackie is also the co-host of the Podcast, The Weekly Wine Down - which can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, or Podbean.
Yay for Jackie D! It’s a great author name isn’t it? Anyway, this is the third and maybe final book in Jackie’s After Dark series. I’m a big fan of this series. Book one was a good read but it had a few issues. Book 2 was great and the best of the series, and this book was a really good ending (if it is) to the series. If I’m right, I am going to miss this series since it was a whole lot of fun.
If you are new to the series I would suggest starting at book one. If you can’t start at book one I would at least highly recommend starting at book 2. Since the characters are recurring in each book, it’s worth it to start at the beginning for the romance aspects and the main bad guy plots that also continue. What’s great about these books is they have a very good ratio of romance to action. It’s very close to being even and neither action nor romance fans should have any reason to complain.
Each book in this series focuses on a potential couple and their romance. The characters are all very likeable and what is great is Jackie doesn’t dump the characters that you get attached to when the next book comes out. While the new book stars two new main characters, your favorite couple from the previous book is back again. Jackie also does a great job at splitting up the time between the couples so there is plenty of time to get to know the new couple, while still getting time with your old favorites. Not every author can do this well but Jackie wrote these three couple perfectly for action-romance books.
I have to be careful what to say about this third book since I don’t want to give anything away for readers new to this series. I will say that I really enjoyed the new potential couple and I loved how the storyline with my favorite couple wrapped up. I’m also very happy that there are no questions left hanging with the bad guys/action storyline so if this is the end, it was a great way to end the series and I’m happy with it.
I would not hesitate to recommend this series to action-romance fans. The first book did have some issues, but it was still worth the read with the last two books being really good reads. This series is very fun and entertaining but it also has chemistry filled romances that makes you fall for the potential couples. This series was Jackie D at her best. I’m going to miss it if it’s over but this was the perfect way to end it.
Wow, this was a really good action pack romance....heavy on the action pack. When I picked this one up, I didn't realize that this was the 3rd installment in the After Dark Series. I do wish I could have gone back and read the other two before this one, but under the circumstances I had to read this one first.
Dylan Prey and Emma Quinn are the two mains in this one, but the mains from the other previous After Dark romances appear in this one and have important roles. Dylan is a CIA agent working undercover in the Russian mafia in Russia. She is 3 years deep and is about to get the break she has been working for all these years. Emma is a NSA cyber analyst who is super smart, but socially awkward.
I admit that on paper, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about these two hooking up. You know what? It works. Both Dylan and Emma are likable characters and I found myself rooting for them. As their attraction turns to more, the story is full of action and never a dull moment. This all makes the book move faster which is a good thing. Sure some angst is thrown in there, but it's understandable based on the situation. In terms of sex, I really wasn't disappointed that not much was in the book. It worked just as it was written.
This for sure is a good read. I will rate it 4.5 stars
This ARC was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. You must read the first two After Dark books before starting this one. Dylan and Emma were great and their story was wonderful. But honestly the best part was Brooke and Tyler. I fell in love with them as a couple in the first book and being able to see them continue their relationship and story. Emma was outstanding, the social awkwardness and her connection with Dylan was adorable. I love Jackie D.!
I had to quickly skim through the first two books of the series ‘cause I read it quite a while ago and needed a few reminders.
The third addition didn’t disappoint! I was highly entertained and love the recurring characters in Tyler, Brooke, Caden and Jennifer. The addition of Emma and Dylan just added that extra oomph to the already great group.
I had to re-read book 1 (Infiltration) and book 2 (Pursuit) again as a "re-fresher" and enjoyed seeing how the quality of the writing has improved over the years.
Book 3 (Elimination) had a lot more depth in terms of how Brooke & Tyler's relationship developed while still focusing on the new relationship between Emma & Dylan. Brooke & Tyler's relationship was a running thread from book 1 to 3 which was good as it's nice to see their progress as a couple.
I felt that Caden and Jennifer's could have been developed a lot more but I get that the focus had to be more on Dylan & Emma.
The mix of romance with all the action helped pace the book so that it never got boring at any point of time. It was go, go, go with some drama, lots of action and still many feel good romantic moments interspersed throughout.
I love books which tie up all the loose ends, even if some may say it's manufactured. I liked that I could smile after the last chapter and feel good about having read something worth my time. This book provided all of it.
When you take a look at the cover you think this book might be superficial, but it is anything but. It’s a story about the NSA, CIA and the Russian maffia. A team of 4 experienced spies head out to Russia with a new asset, Emma, in Russia they meet an undercover CIA agent. Agent Prey is the right hand woman of a mobster. The team needs to bring back a woman to the US. In order to work together they need to trust wachttoren. For loner Prey and socially awkward Emma it’s something different and not what they are used to. The team develops a good connection and Prey and Emma find themselves in an even deeper connection. Will all their relationships survive, and will they survive a battle with the Russian mob?
Super interesting story, nice flow, very well written. Liked all of the characters and how they balanced each other out in friendship and romantic relationships.
I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY AND VOLUNTARILY LEAVING MY REVIEW.
THIS IS BOOK 3 IN A SERIES. AS PER USUAL WITH ME, I NEVER START AT THE BEGINNING OF A SERIES. THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR I HAVE READ. IT CAN BE READ AS A STAND-A-LONE BUT I WOULD ADVISE YOU READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES JUST TO GET THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ALL THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THE BOOK.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I WAS HOOKED TO IT FROM BEGINNING TO END. IT IS DEFINITELY A PAGE TURNER FOR ME, IN FACT, I STAYED UP HALF THE NIGHT JUST TO READ IT. THE CHARACTERS ARE A GREAT BUNCH. THE MAIN ONES WITHIN THIS STORY ARE DYLAN (AKA SASHA) WHO WORKS FOR THE CIA AND EMMA WHO WORKS FOR THE NSA. TYLER, BROOKE, CADEN & JENNIFER ARE ALSO PART OF THE TEAM. I LOVED THE STORY LINE, PLENTY OF ACTION, GREAT SECONDARY CHARACTERS, PACE WAS JUST RIGHT. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND GIVING THIS ONE A READ. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
It has been a lot of books ago that I read a CIA/espionage story, which is normally is the type of book I would go for. This was a good read, not a slowburn romance but that could be explained by the high pressure situation the characters are in. Dylan Prey is an agent deep undercover in the Russian maffia. Meanwhile a team of 5 other women agents (yes, this is maybe a bit unbelievable) is enroute to Russia to apprehend a woman they have been chasing for a while and they need Dylans help. This puts her in a very bad position though where her cover most likely will be blown. 4 members of the team are in a relationship with eachother and since this is the third book in the series, you will probably be better off reading the other two first. I still enjoyed the book very much, but it would have added more depth to the storyline and I will most definitely go look for the other books cause this was way too enjoyable to not want to read the stories about how the other couples meet!
** an ARC was given by the publisher in exchange for an honest review **
With everything going on in this crazy world it's nice to get lost in a good story and I have a secret weakness for a good action/romance book and Boy O Boy did Jackie D bring it with this book. It had me right from the beginning and i couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The pace was spot on and the chemistry between the two MC's was just what i was looking for. It was very well written and kept me engaged with all the action going on. this author really knows how to write strong woman and even though i hated to see this series end I'm glad that i was able to step into the mind of Jackie D.
For an honest review I was provided an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley
I've adored this series from beginning to end and the final installment doesn't disappoint - it's a beautiful mix of romance and action, with just the right amount of each.
Sometimes throughout a series the original main characters get lost altogether or become token bit parts - but Tyler and Brooke are just as badass and madly in love as they were in book 1 - and i'm so stoked with the end of their story. It's perfect!
Jackie does such a great job of tying all the characters together and carrying them forward in a realistic and believable manner in the series - the addition of Dylan and Emma in Elimination is no different and i found myself warming to them instantly. The vulnerability and connection between them is electric and it's clear throughout that the author excels at creating sexual chemisty and romantic tension between characters.
The story is fast paced with plenty of action and twist and turns, everything you'd expect from a military/intelligence orientated plot. But alongside the adrenaline pumping action is a little sub story of acceptance that is highlighted in the relationship between Brooke and her parents. For me it's the icing on the cake when authors squeeze in real world issues into their stories. It adds an extra level but even without this Elimination doesn't disappoint - it's a book surely set to annihilate it's competition.
What a great third book in this series. I have much hope that it could or would continue. The new characters of Dylan another bad a$$ and intelligent, beautiful, soft spoken, shy Emma in the mix of these CIA agents were nice additions. Sometimes who we think we want or who our “type” is, isn’t who ends up touching the deepest parts of our souls. Dylan and Emma are perfect matches. Just like Tyler and Brooke and Caden and Jennifer. Collectively they make one great CIA TEAM and even better matched life partners.
Thanks to Bold Stroke Book and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sexy, kick-ass spies, deftly-drawn baddies and a compelling romance, makes this a winner in my book. Elimination is an action-packed lesfic spy-thriller set amongst the backdrop of the smoke and mirror of the US Intelligence Community, and it delivers on many levels. A literal page-turner, this book had me gripped from the first page. Fast, paced, twisty, this novel left me breathless for more.... more from Jackie D. With star-crossed lovers, in Dylan and Emma, Jackie D has created a story oozing sensuality, with that tantalising hint of the forbidden. Looking forward to hearing more from this author in the future - a recommended read.
My first read by Jackie D and I was slightly nervous starting the third book in a series but I still loved this book! I ended up so invested in the plot line - mainly Dylan's undercover project. I thought Jackie D did an amazing job at the way this book played out. No aspects of the storyline seemed to be left unfinished and I loved all of the way the characters were fleshed out. They definitely felt real to me. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Shoutout to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the early review copy.
There are so many books coming out on Tuesday, I’ve been posting about them for a couple of days already just to keep caught up. It’s safe to say February is a good month for books if nothing else.
I’ll be 100% honest with you. When I first saw this book, the author immediately reminded me of 30 Rock. Tracy is always calling Jack Jackie D and it always makes me giggle. It’s not the whole reason I chose this book to read, but it definitely didn’t hurt that it made me smile.
Elimination is the third book in the After Dark series. Full disclosure, I did not read books 1 or 2, but after reading this one, I’d definitely be willing to go back and get caught up. I will say I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing any context or information I really needed to enjoy this story. Obviously there are established characters and relationships that you will probably appreciate even more if you’ve read the first two, but I quickly became endeared to all of the previous characters, and of course, I fell in love with the new characters, Emma and Dylan.
Dylan has been deeply embroiled in an undercover op trying to bust up a Russian smuggling ring for quite sometime. When an NSA team crashes her party in order to catch a former US diplomat turned terrorist, her entire operation could be compromised. The new mission isn’t the only thing that might jeopardize Dylan’s mission. She finds herself attracted to NSA cyberstalker Emma who is a recent addition to the NSA team trying to catch O’Brien. Emma is painfully shy, and she’s not one to jump headfirst into attractions, but Dylan is hard to ignore. They’ll have to work together and possibly fight their growing attraction in order to complete both missions and get out alive.
I tore through this one in just a couple of days. The pacing is on point (quick and intriguing), the romance is sweet (and hot), and there are several characters/relationships to follow along with two missions, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained. I have been spending a lot of time with contemporary, easy going romance lately, so this fast-paced thrillery romance was just what I needed to spice up my weekend.
If you’re tempted to jump in even though you haven’t read the first two, go for it. If you’re waiting for book three after reading the first two, I hope you’ll enjoy the resolution to an ongoing plotline as well as the new characters and their story.
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
I didn’t know this was the third in a series when I requested it.
Being that this is the third book in a series I got a little confused about all the people in the first few chapter. I had to keep the blurb so I knew who was really the MC. I’m not a big fan of learning about the side characters, I would much rather focus on the MCs. I liked Emma and her personality. I’m kinda tired of one of the MCs being butch and the other femme, feels like I’ve read to many of those lately. But I got around 1/4 into this before I had to give up. According to my kindle I had under 2 hours left, and it hurts to not finish a book but this didn’t interest me enough that I would finish it.
This is possibly the last book in the “After D” series. As with the previous two books in this series, I found it difficult to put this one down. Elimination is an excellent thriller that provides readers with romance and suspense.
The plot is a continuation of the story about a group of fanatics who wants to take over the United States. In this third installment, a team of CIA/NSA women are sent on a mission to Russia to eliminate/capture a terrorist, Carol O’Brien. Emma, a cyber stalker with the NSA, is added to the team to help take down Carol. In addition, Dylan Prey, an undercover operative in Russia, is added to the team. Her objective is to locate Carol and assist the team in securing her and bringing her back to the U.S. for a trial. In addition to the narrative regarding the terrorists, we also get to follow the love story between the couples of Brook and Tyler, Caden and Jennifer, and Emma and Dylan.
Jackie D has done a wonderful job of developing strong, interesting, likeable characters. The book is filled with action and suspense. Readers will find it difficult to take a break. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I feel that reading books 1 and 2 would add to the enjoyment of this series.
If this the last book in the series, Ms. D has tied up the interwoven story lines, but I hope she considers writing another action-filled case for this team of women.
I rate it 5+ out of 5 stars.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.