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HORNET #6
Honor Avenged
Leah Giancarelli makes balancing her new role as a single mom look easy, but she’d have crumbled if not for her late husband’s best friend, Marcus. She has her issues with HORNET, an elite hostage rescue team—after all, Danny would still be alive if he’d never accompanied them on their last mission—but Marcus has always been by her side, a strong shoulder to lean on…
Until, after one impulsive kiss, he’s so much more.
Eaten alive by guilt, Marcus takes off, leaving both HORNET and Leah behind. Alone is easier. Safer. Because his feelings for Leah are all kinds of wrong, the worst kind of betrayal, and he can’t trust himself not to act on them.
But Danny’s death was only the beginning. Whoever hired the hitman is looking for something, and they think Leah knows where it is...
Each book in the HORNET series is STANDALONE:
* SEAL of Honor
* Honor Reclaimed
* Broken Honor
* Code of Honor
* Reckless Honor
* Honor Avenged
Until, after one impulsive kiss, he’s so much more.
Eaten alive by guilt, Marcus takes off, leaving both HORNET and Leah behind. Alone is easier. Safer. Because his feelings for Leah are all kinds of wrong, the worst kind of betrayal, and he can’t trust himself not to act on them.
But Danny’s death was only the beginning. Whoever hired the hitman is looking for something, and they think Leah knows where it is...
Each book in the HORNET series is STANDALONE:
* SEAL of Honor
* Honor Reclaimed
* Broken Honor
* Code of Honor
* Reckless Honor
* Honor Avenged
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2020
62 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Burrows
47 books1,147 followersTonya Burrows wrote her first romance at age thirteen and hasn't put down her pen since. Originally from a small town in Western New York, she suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and is still searching for a place to call home. She shares her adventures with her husband, two adorable doodles, and Scribble the Writer Cat.
When she's not writing about hunky military heroes and their courageous K9s, Tonya can be found watching either true crime or baking shows while snuggled up on the couch with her furbabies. She also enjoys traveling—especially long road trips to see the National Parks.
To learn more about Tonya and her books, please visit her website. She's also on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @authortonyaburrows.
When she's not writing about hunky military heroes and their courageous K9s, Tonya can be found watching either true crime or baking shows while snuggled up on the couch with her furbabies. She also enjoys traveling—especially long road trips to see the National Parks.
To learn more about Tonya and her books, please visit her website. She's also on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @authortonyaburrows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
July 13, 2020
Marcus Deangelo has spent most of the last eight months drowning his guilt and grief in a bottle since the death of Danny Giancarelli, his best friend, former partner and surrogate brother. The guilt is because he believes he was the sniper’s intended target and after looking out for Danny’s widow and three children, he shared a kiss with Leah that he cannot forget. He left her and his HORNET family behind for the surf in Indonesia until Leah tracked him down. Someone is after her and one of Danny’s contacts left a warning along with sensitive information. Despite her frustration with him, Leah needs his help and he needs to reconnect with the world to save her life.
The story picks up very near where the last book ended following the tragic events in Martinique. If it sounds like Marcus is a mess it’s because he is. Even though he’s finally sobered up, he still resorts to his first instinct...avoid and take flight anytime he’s challenged to face emotional realities. But, the threats to Leah are ominous and extraordinarily dangerous and that’s where the story gains traction. The chase leads to lots of exotic locales, including Switzerland, Bali, Italy and Central African Republic to name a few. The underlying reason wasn’t exactly clear, which made things more complex and perplexing. Meanwhile, Marcus and Leah are grappling with their evolving relationship status.
There’s a reason why this is one of my favorite series and I was impatient during the long hiatus. It was well worth the wait as it didn’t fail to being the level of passion, danger and excitement I’ve come to expect. Marcus drove me nuts but that situation was mitigated by Leah’s level head and innate sense in knowing exactly how to handle him. The underlying threats were difficult to resolve (it’s not over!) but I was able to keep up and hang on until it was revealed. The story lived up to my expectations but now I’m hankering for the next one because that epilogue...
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
The story picks up very near where the last book ended following the tragic events in Martinique. If it sounds like Marcus is a mess it’s because he is. Even though he’s finally sobered up, he still resorts to his first instinct...avoid and take flight anytime he’s challenged to face emotional realities. But, the threats to Leah are ominous and extraordinarily dangerous and that’s where the story gains traction. The chase leads to lots of exotic locales, including Switzerland, Bali, Italy and Central African Republic to name a few. The underlying reason wasn’t exactly clear, which made things more complex and perplexing. Meanwhile, Marcus and Leah are grappling with their evolving relationship status.
There’s a reason why this is one of my favorite series and I was impatient during the long hiatus. It was well worth the wait as it didn’t fail to being the level of passion, danger and excitement I’ve come to expect. Marcus drove me nuts but that situation was mitigated by Leah’s level head and innate sense in knowing exactly how to handle him. The underlying threats were difficult to resolve (it’s not over!) but I was able to keep up and hang on until it was revealed. The story lived up to my expectations but now I’m hankering for the next one because that epilogue...
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
November 2, 2022
Honor Avenged hubiese sido un libro mucho mas redondo de haber tenido un poco mas de romance, esa parte de la novela la senti un poco superficial, me falto un desarrollo mas completo, cosa que no me paso en la parte de suspense y accion. Al igual que los tomos anteriores, Tonya Burrows brilla con toda su fuerza en las escenas de misterio y crimen, de verdad que he leido pocas autoras que narren tan bien ese tipo de momentos.
Leah y Marcus son grandes personajes pero creo que se pierden un poco en la trama, no me malentiendan, ellos estan bien construidos y son coherentes pero si creo que la historia los opaca un poco.
La lectura en general es muy fluida y no tiene ni un solo instante aburrido, y aunque no puedo decir que sea mi favorito de la serie, si que fue lo que esperaba cuando comence a leer.
En resumen, un sexto libro que mantiene tu atencion y que se vuelve totalmente adictivo despues de tan solo un par de paginas. Estoy incluso pensando hacer una relectura de la saga antes de que termine este año, extraño a mis chicos de HORNET.
P. D. : Esperando ansiosa saber mas sobre Ian.
3.75 Estrellas!!
June 18, 2020
Y yo que pensaba que aquí termina la saga... Pero todo parece indicar de que no será así.
Cuando vi que iba a haber un libro sobre Marcus y Leah, me picó mucho la curiosidad. Quería saber como se iba a desarrollar todo teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias de la muerte de Dani. La historia no defrauda, me ha mantenido atrapada desde el primer momento. Hay una mezcla de todos los ingredientes que no faltan en los libros anteriores. Es una historia intensa y bonita. Aquí el que está confuso e indeciso es Marcus porque Leah sabe muy bien lo que quiere y a quien quiere. :D
Cuando vi que iba a haber un libro sobre Marcus y Leah, me picó mucho la curiosidad. Quería saber como se iba a desarrollar todo teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias de la muerte de Dani. La historia no defrauda, me ha mantenido atrapada desde el primer momento. Hay una mezcla de todos los ingredientes que no faltan en los libros anteriores. Es una historia intensa y bonita. Aquí el que está confuso e indeciso es Marcus porque Leah sabe muy bien lo que quiere y a quien quiere. :D
May 7, 2020
ARC received for review
This one had more angst than the previous books, but still just as much action and adventure as the previous books. It was great to see all the previous peeps. Ms. Burrows made me cry,again, or maybe I'm just becoming a sap. Now will the next book be Ian or him, and if it's him who would he hook up with, or will it be back to Alpha Class .... hhhhmmmm
This one had more angst than the previous books, but still just as much action and adventure as the previous books. It was great to see all the previous peeps. Ms. Burrows made me cry,again, or maybe I'm just becoming a sap. Now will the next book be Ian or him, and if it's him who would he hook up with, or will it be back to Alpha Class .... hhhhmmmm
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November 30, 2022Marcus and Leah broke my heart! I cried like 5 times while writing this book.
May 18, 2020
3.5 stars rounding up...
Getting back into Tonya Burrows’s HORNET—a private military group made up of disastrous misfits—series is always a treat.
‘Honor Avenged’ shows how far these men have come as a team as an emergent threat looks to carry the team’s missions into a potential abyss. But the answer is still this: the team is still very rocky in places and they haven’t quite gelled together like a boy band’s high-pitched and sweet synchronised tones. Yet this is also Marcus Deangelo’s story and one tackles the hint of the forbidden as he and his dead best friend’s widow Leah Giancarelli suddenly fight an attraction that had supposedly never been there before, more so because both are ridden by guilt and grief even as they find themselves entangled in bad black-market organ-trading business.
As a standalone however, ‘Honor Avenged’ did pose some issues: there was a clear narrative arc that has continued over the past few books and will continue at least to Ian’s story, and as an RS read, it’s primarily (and perhaps rightly so?) action-driven. There’s a spine-tingling and riveting story to tell, some twists and turns, a bigger plot to uncover and more loose ends to tie up after all, with some pockets of snarky team interaction that I really liked.
This did however, mean that Marcus’s and Leah’s time together felt compromised at times. Their emotions and vulnerabilities roiled in their own heads rather than get talked out; these were explored a little but as much as I’d expected as Burrows juggles action with angst and the complicated feelings of emotional betrayal. The repetition of Marcus running away both emotionally and physically, leaving Leah somewhat adrift soon becomes a familiar but tedious thread that simply made me wonder if he had enough balls to be a man about it, then the confession that he’d always loved her seemed to diminish the new thing they were building and felt like a flimsy excuse for going through scores of women while she was married to his best friend.
Still, ‘Honor Avenged’ is quite a shining one in this series as you get the feeling things are hurtling towards a train wreck of a conclusion—my own reservations and nit-picking aside—and it’s well-written and enough to spend a few hours going through that ride.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Getting back into Tonya Burrows’s HORNET—a private military group made up of disastrous misfits—series is always a treat.
‘Honor Avenged’ shows how far these men have come as a team as an emergent threat looks to carry the team’s missions into a potential abyss. But the answer is still this: the team is still very rocky in places and they haven’t quite gelled together like a boy band’s high-pitched and sweet synchronised tones. Yet this is also Marcus Deangelo’s story and one tackles the hint of the forbidden as he and his dead best friend’s widow Leah Giancarelli suddenly fight an attraction that had supposedly never been there before, more so because both are ridden by guilt and grief even as they find themselves entangled in bad black-market organ-trading business.
As a standalone however, ‘Honor Avenged’ did pose some issues: there was a clear narrative arc that has continued over the past few books and will continue at least to Ian’s story, and as an RS read, it’s primarily (and perhaps rightly so?) action-driven. There’s a spine-tingling and riveting story to tell, some twists and turns, a bigger plot to uncover and more loose ends to tie up after all, with some pockets of snarky team interaction that I really liked.
This did however, mean that Marcus’s and Leah’s time together felt compromised at times. Their emotions and vulnerabilities roiled in their own heads rather than get talked out; these were explored a little but as much as I’d expected as Burrows juggles action with angst and the complicated feelings of emotional betrayal. The repetition of Marcus running away both emotionally and physically, leaving Leah somewhat adrift soon becomes a familiar but tedious thread that simply made me wonder if he had enough balls to be a man about it, then the confession that he’d always loved her seemed to diminish the new thing they were building and felt like a flimsy excuse for going through scores of women while she was married to his best friend.
Still, ‘Honor Avenged’ is quite a shining one in this series as you get the feeling things are hurtling towards a train wreck of a conclusion—my own reservations and nit-picking aside—and it’s well-written and enough to spend a few hours going through that ride.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
May 7, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
“Honor Avenged”, by Tonya Burrows (Entangled: Amara), is an action-packed romance with the Hornet team we came to love so much from previous stories, featuring a hero tortured with guilt.
The hero and heroine have a shared past and trauma and are still struggling with the loss the man who was his best friend and her husband. The feelings of loss and grief and dealing with three fatherless children are still raw. Arcus and Leah are also dealing with the unexpected chemistry that makes them feel both hot for each other and guilty.
Marcus is a shadow of the man he was. The grief because of the loss of a friend who was like a brother and the death circumstances are still an open wound.
The true love and affection between the romantic couple, their families and Hornet members is something I love in Tonya Burrows’ stories, and this one doesn’t disappoint with its blend of comradeship, loyalty and very close ties.
Leah blaming Hornet for Danny’s death was a bit irrational, after all, her late husband had a job of high risk. Marcus wavering about Leah because of the guilt issues felt a little redundant.
Against the backdrop of big crime organizations and organs trafficking and set in a poor African country, the story shows new and promising sides of Ian, the elusive Hornet operative who doesn’t think or miss sex (so refreshing for a fictional hero nowadays).
“Honor Avenged”, by Tonya Burrows (Entangled: Amara), is an action-packed romance with the Hornet team we came to love so much from previous stories, featuring a hero tortured with guilt.
The hero and heroine have a shared past and trauma and are still struggling with the loss the man who was his best friend and her husband. The feelings of loss and grief and dealing with three fatherless children are still raw. Arcus and Leah are also dealing with the unexpected chemistry that makes them feel both hot for each other and guilty.
Marcus is a shadow of the man he was. The grief because of the loss of a friend who was like a brother and the death circumstances are still an open wound.
The true love and affection between the romantic couple, their families and Hornet members is something I love in Tonya Burrows’ stories, and this one doesn’t disappoint with its blend of comradeship, loyalty and very close ties.
Leah blaming Hornet for Danny’s death was a bit irrational, after all, her late husband had a job of high risk. Marcus wavering about Leah because of the guilt issues felt a little redundant.
Against the backdrop of big crime organizations and organs trafficking and set in a poor African country, the story shows new and promising sides of Ian, the elusive Hornet operative who doesn’t think or miss sex (so refreshing for a fictional hero nowadays).
December 3, 2020
No me encantó, la verdad esperaba más y no hubo romance.
May 27, 2020
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
I have really enjoyed this series. The characters are a group of good guy mercenaries that work for a former child star billionaires. The plots are inventive, the romance hot and the suspense edge of your seat. "Honor Avenged" just didn't have the same feel. The angst was on he high side and the process of getting the hero and heroine together was a lot of work for the reader. I love a good friends to lovers tale, but Danny's ghost just created all kinds of woe for this couple.
Leah Giancarelli has a lot on her plate. She has been a widow for almost a year and life with three children is just plain hard. She blames HORNET for his death and has leaned on Danny's best friend, Marcus, to make it through her grief. Eaten up with lust for Leah and guilt over that, Marcus disappears. When someone tries to Leah and a mysterious stranger gives her a flash drive and tells her to trust no one, she has to find Marcus.
Danny was his best friend, a brother in all ways but by blood. Marcus always knew that Leah was Danny's girl and when Danny dies, Marcus is devastated. Being around Leah and wanting her is tearing him apart, so he disappears.
Leah tracks him down, but a hit team is hot on her trail. Together they have to face both Danny's death and their growing feelings for each other, while staying alive.
3 1/2-Stars
I have really enjoyed this series. The characters are a group of good guy mercenaries that work for a former child star billionaires. The plots are inventive, the romance hot and the suspense edge of your seat. "Honor Avenged" just didn't have the same feel. The angst was on he high side and the process of getting the hero and heroine together was a lot of work for the reader. I love a good friends to lovers tale, but Danny's ghost just created all kinds of woe for this couple.
Leah Giancarelli has a lot on her plate. She has been a widow for almost a year and life with three children is just plain hard. She blames HORNET for his death and has leaned on Danny's best friend, Marcus, to make it through her grief. Eaten up with lust for Leah and guilt over that, Marcus disappears. When someone tries to Leah and a mysterious stranger gives her a flash drive and tells her to trust no one, she has to find Marcus.
Danny was his best friend, a brother in all ways but by blood. Marcus always knew that Leah was Danny's girl and when Danny dies, Marcus is devastated. Being around Leah and wanting her is tearing him apart, so he disappears.
Leah tracks him down, but a hit team is hot on her trail. Together they have to face both Danny's death and their growing feelings for each other, while staying alive.
3 1/2-Stars
April 27, 2020
I am usually a sucker for romantic suspense - especially for a series like this. A group of good-guy mercenaries operating slightly outside the bounds of the law, but with a strong moral code. This one just wasn't a true winner for me. Maybe, I shouldn't have read this as my first entry into the series? I didn't have a strong connection to the characters - and the characters were going through some very serious stuff.
Leah's husband Danny was Marcus's best friend and former partner at the FBI. Danny was murdered at the end of an operation HORNET was involved in. Since that time Marcus and Leah have been facing tremendous grief and a lot of guilt. Marcus has retreated into himself - trying to find peace in alcohol and Leah has been just trying to get by and raise her three grieving children.
They are brought back together again when an informant from Danny's past brings some seriously bad guys to their doorstep. Marcus feels a lot of guilt related to his feelings for Leah and really needs more therapy than just surfing....
The book tackles serious and scary issues and places. I liked the cast of characters and the overall arc of the story - but I felt that the relationship between Leah and Marcus was more of a novella mixed in with a lot of information to move the overall story arc of the series along.
It is definitely an exciting story and is very well written - I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for the series though!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
Leah's husband Danny was Marcus's best friend and former partner at the FBI. Danny was murdered at the end of an operation HORNET was involved in. Since that time Marcus and Leah have been facing tremendous grief and a lot of guilt. Marcus has retreated into himself - trying to find peace in alcohol and Leah has been just trying to get by and raise her three grieving children.
They are brought back together again when an informant from Danny's past brings some seriously bad guys to their doorstep. Marcus feels a lot of guilt related to his feelings for Leah and really needs more therapy than just surfing....
The book tackles serious and scary issues and places. I liked the cast of characters and the overall arc of the story - but I felt that the relationship between Leah and Marcus was more of a novella mixed in with a lot of information to move the overall story arc of the series along.
It is definitely an exciting story and is very well written - I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for the series though!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
May 18, 2020
LOVED this book! This is fast paced romantic suspense at its best. After Leah's husband's funeral, his best friend kissed her, then ghosted her. While he wallowed in his grief and guilt, Leah struggled to raise her three children and transition through all the changes necessitated by her husband's death.
Leah has resented HORNET and the role it played in her husband's death, so when she is attacked by mercenaries and has no idea why, she seeks out Marcus, then is dragged into HORNET. What follows is a tightly woven story that I couldn't put down. I found myself turning pages just as quickly as possible because I couldn't wait to see what came next, but yet was sorry when it ended.
I've loved every book in this series and am already looking forward to the next one. This is a stand alone novel, however it's so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. If I could give this one more than five stars, I would. The author is on my must read authors' list.
Leah has resented HORNET and the role it played in her husband's death, so when she is attacked by mercenaries and has no idea why, she seeks out Marcus, then is dragged into HORNET. What follows is a tightly woven story that I couldn't put down. I found myself turning pages just as quickly as possible because I couldn't wait to see what came next, but yet was sorry when it ended.
I've loved every book in this series and am already looking forward to the next one. This is a stand alone novel, however it's so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. If I could give this one more than five stars, I would. The author is on my must read authors' list.
May 18, 2020
After the death of Danny, his best friend and his teammate, Marcus is struggling and his only driving force is exposing who was behind it and ensure that they pay the consequences. The guilt and regret that he feels not only about Danny’s death but the feelings he is developing for his widow Leah have him distancing himself from everyone until Leah finds herself in danger in well.
After the death of her husband Leah is focusing on ensuring that her children get the financial and emotional stability that they need. When they find themselves in danger due to husband’s past there is nothing she won’t do to keep them safe even if that means asking Marcus for help.
This story takes us on an action packed adventure filled with intrigue, twists and romance as Leah and Marcus find a way to heal from the past together.
After the death of her husband Leah is focusing on ensuring that her children get the financial and emotional stability that they need. When they find themselves in danger due to husband’s past there is nothing she won’t do to keep them safe even if that means asking Marcus for help.
This story takes us on an action packed adventure filled with intrigue, twists and romance as Leah and Marcus find a way to heal from the past together.
May 15, 2020
I came a little late to the party in this series but after this book you better believe I'll go back and catch up.
A beautiful friendship has turned into a need for revenge. Whoever killed Danny, his best friend, was going to pay. He would personally put a bullet in his or her head. How could he not? He loves him like a brother and they left Danny's wife without a husband and his kids without a father, he had to do it for them. But will he survive to keep that promise he made to himself and to Leah or will he die along the way? If he could just get this pain to stop.
Leah is struggling to survive and the person who promised her he would be here is gone, their best friend has ghosted her and this is just too hard. All of a sudden someone is trying to kill her?
I enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. I could feel the emotion from the pages of this one.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A beautiful friendship has turned into a need for revenge. Whoever killed Danny, his best friend, was going to pay. He would personally put a bullet in his or her head. How could he not? He loves him like a brother and they left Danny's wife without a husband and his kids without a father, he had to do it for them. But will he survive to keep that promise he made to himself and to Leah or will he die along the way? If he could just get this pain to stop.
Leah is struggling to survive and the person who promised her he would be here is gone, their best friend has ghosted her and this is just too hard. All of a sudden someone is trying to kill her?
I enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down. I could feel the emotion from the pages of this one.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2020
This was an awesome introduction to this author! I loved this story front to back! If I could have read it one day, I would have!
There was sadness and excitement throughout this story. Oh, and let’s not forget to add in a love story!
I highly recommend this one!
There was sadness and excitement throughout this story. Oh, and let’s not forget to add in a love story!
I highly recommend this one!
May 5, 2020
Honor Avenged is a paramilitary best friends widow tale that will have you wanting to smack an obstinate stud upside his head. This book features some horrible things, the loss of a husband/best friend, betrayal, and really nasty bad guys. It also features moving on and living life. Well once Marcus gets his head out of his butt anyway. This is a fast paced scary ride of emotion and danger.
May 18, 2020
Review written: May 17, 2020
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
Well, OH MY GOD! Burrows has really done it this time. She's been steadily getting better and better and the HORNET series just keeps twisting and turning and shining. Honor Avenged picks up well after Reckless Honor and it has just a taste of Fragmented Loyalty, the first book in her spin-off series.
I admit, I was pretty peeved at Marcus at the end of Reckless Honor but that stopped very quickly because Marcus is a mess, not just a little bit of a mess, but an all the way, needs an intervention, hot mess. And the more hurt a guy is, especially a big tough guy like Marcus, the more I fall for him. Yeah, Marcus was all over the place emotionally, and for good reason. His best friend is dead and it's all his fault. His widow and kids need support but Marcus just can't do it. Watching him fall apart was heartwrenching.
Leah is barely getting through her days. With Danny dead, she has to take care of their kids, keep them afloat financially, and somehow make it all work. Without support from Marcus and with minimal support from others, it's a tough slog. But no way is she taking help from HORNET. They are the ones who caused all this heartache and pain. She'll find a way to make it work.
But a surprise visit from an informant and some gunshots later, all bets are off. Leah needs help and answers. And she gets help from, of all people, Marcus's mother. But after that, it's not a roller coaster, it's worse! Anything more would be a spoiler, frankly, so here is my best with no spoilers.
It will gut you, rip your heart out, horrify you, and leave you bleeding out on the floor wanting to cry. It will take strong men and women and turn them inside out, destroy you and remake you, offer love and hope, and then start all over again. If you have been reading this series, this book take it all up a notch or a hundred. If you haven't been reading this series, read it just to read this book.
This is an ugly book in some ways; exposing truths we may not want to see. It is a painful book, not just in dealing with Marcus and Leah, but watching others we've come to care for have their worlds ripped apart too. But it also offers hope in the small, kind things, and redemption in the big picture.
But for me, mostly, it means I am equal parts eager and terrified to read the next book. The finale is going to explode!
This review is ©May 2020 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
Well, OH MY GOD! Burrows has really done it this time. She's been steadily getting better and better and the HORNET series just keeps twisting and turning and shining. Honor Avenged picks up well after Reckless Honor and it has just a taste of Fragmented Loyalty, the first book in her spin-off series.
I admit, I was pretty peeved at Marcus at the end of Reckless Honor but that stopped very quickly because Marcus is a mess, not just a little bit of a mess, but an all the way, needs an intervention, hot mess. And the more hurt a guy is, especially a big tough guy like Marcus, the more I fall for him. Yeah, Marcus was all over the place emotionally, and for good reason. His best friend is dead and it's all his fault. His widow and kids need support but Marcus just can't do it. Watching him fall apart was heartwrenching.
Leah is barely getting through her days. With Danny dead, she has to take care of their kids, keep them afloat financially, and somehow make it all work. Without support from Marcus and with minimal support from others, it's a tough slog. But no way is she taking help from HORNET. They are the ones who caused all this heartache and pain. She'll find a way to make it work.
But a surprise visit from an informant and some gunshots later, all bets are off. Leah needs help and answers. And she gets help from, of all people, Marcus's mother. But after that, it's not a roller coaster, it's worse! Anything more would be a spoiler, frankly, so here is my best with no spoilers.
It will gut you, rip your heart out, horrify you, and leave you bleeding out on the floor wanting to cry. It will take strong men and women and turn them inside out, destroy you and remake you, offer love and hope, and then start all over again. If you have been reading this series, this book take it all up a notch or a hundred. If you haven't been reading this series, read it just to read this book.
This is an ugly book in some ways; exposing truths we may not want to see. It is a painful book, not just in dealing with Marcus and Leah, but watching others we've come to care for have their worlds ripped apart too. But it also offers hope in the small, kind things, and redemption in the big picture.
But for me, mostly, it means I am equal parts eager and terrified to read the next book. The finale is going to explode!
This review is ©May 2020 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley
May 16, 2020
At long last we get Marcus Deangelo's story in this high action, romantic suspense, paramilitary series. I really enjoy this series with it's brotherhood of team members and their adventures into finding love. It is a close fellowship that were concerned when their teammate Marcus went off the rails and disappeared when his buddy Danny died in a training op. This series is addicting!
Marcus Deangelo is just plain lost when his life long best buddy dies on a HORNETs training mission. He just wants revenge and will do anything to achieve that end, even cross the line. The story starts when he's tracked down Mercedes Raya, girlfriend of the hitman, and he's desperately trying to break her to find the guy who shot Danny. He gets enough out of her when his team finally catches up with him. During the story we find out Mercedes is-was part of Defion, the rival PMC - Private Military Contractor. Mercedes is trying to locate her brother Alexander Cabot who was Danny's CI - confidential informant. When Xander saves Leah Gancarelli, Danny's widow, he gives her a jump drive that sets the story into action.
Leah Gancarelli is just trying to cope after being widowed with three children. She, Danny and Marcus were friends from childhood, and she knows the world Marcus introduced Danny to is the cause of his death. While showing a house, she's trying to sell, she's thrown into Danny's world. Now that she and her children are threatened she seeks Marcus to protect her. The story grows and gets huge from that point on. Leah doesn't want to be drawn into HORNETs world that she blames for Danny's death. Marcus is riddled with guilt and grief he's barely functioning. His life has taught him to run from emotions and stress. The team will do everything to save them. I love this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Marcus Deangelo is just plain lost when his life long best buddy dies on a HORNETs training mission. He just wants revenge and will do anything to achieve that end, even cross the line. The story starts when he's tracked down Mercedes Raya, girlfriend of the hitman, and he's desperately trying to break her to find the guy who shot Danny. He gets enough out of her when his team finally catches up with him. During the story we find out Mercedes is-was part of Defion, the rival PMC - Private Military Contractor. Mercedes is trying to locate her brother Alexander Cabot who was Danny's CI - confidential informant. When Xander saves Leah Gancarelli, Danny's widow, he gives her a jump drive that sets the story into action.
Leah Gancarelli is just trying to cope after being widowed with three children. She, Danny and Marcus were friends from childhood, and she knows the world Marcus introduced Danny to is the cause of his death. While showing a house, she's trying to sell, she's thrown into Danny's world. Now that she and her children are threatened she seeks Marcus to protect her. The story grows and gets huge from that point on. Leah doesn't want to be drawn into HORNETs world that she blames for Danny's death. Marcus is riddled with guilt and grief he's barely functioning. His life has taught him to run from emotions and stress. The team will do everything to save them. I love this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 18, 2020
Hello, I’m NICUnurse Stephanie and I’m a romantic suspense book junkie…and darn proud of it! Tonya Burrows is a new-to-me author, but I’m always up for new adventures with new friends, and if you add hot, tortured heroes with guns, I’m definitely all in.
Honor Avenged can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read any of the other books in this author’s HORNET series, and while there were times that I was more than curious about the minor characters’ stories, but there was no point in the story where I felt lost. I’m also a series junkie, so at some point, I’d love to dive into the first 5 books in this series. But my TBR list is long and daunting so it could take me a while.
NICUnurse’s Rating: The first couple of chapters felt like they drug just a little. But this really could just be me. This pandemic and sheltering in place stuff has had me in a strange headspace, and I’ve had a harder time falling into stories than I normally would. So that’s not just a line I’m using so it doesn’t seem like I’m trying not to offend authors. It’s truly been a thing. But, I digress (See! I’ve also been easily distracted!). Once I finally was able to be fully engrossed in the book, I had to make myself slow down my reading because I wanted to know how this was all going to play out so bad, and before I knew it, the clock read somewhere around 2 am. (This has become a bad habit for me.) Needless to say, I finished it pretty quickly. It was totally entertaining and the suspense was on point. I’ll be looking for more books from this author in the future.
I give Honor Avenged by Tonya Burrows a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
Honor Avenged can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read any of the other books in this author’s HORNET series, and while there were times that I was more than curious about the minor characters’ stories, but there was no point in the story where I felt lost. I’m also a series junkie, so at some point, I’d love to dive into the first 5 books in this series. But my TBR list is long and daunting so it could take me a while.
NICUnurse’s Rating: The first couple of chapters felt like they drug just a little. But this really could just be me. This pandemic and sheltering in place stuff has had me in a strange headspace, and I’ve had a harder time falling into stories than I normally would. So that’s not just a line I’m using so it doesn’t seem like I’m trying not to offend authors. It’s truly been a thing. But, I digress (See! I’ve also been easily distracted!). Once I finally was able to be fully engrossed in the book, I had to make myself slow down my reading because I wanted to know how this was all going to play out so bad, and before I knew it, the clock read somewhere around 2 am. (This has become a bad habit for me.) Needless to say, I finished it pretty quickly. It was totally entertaining and the suspense was on point. I’ll be looking for more books from this author in the future.
I give Honor Avenged by Tonya Burrows a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
May 18, 2020
Honor Avenged is book six in the HORNETS Series Tonya Burrows. It is a romantic suspense that has characters carrying around a tremendous amount of emotional baggage in addition to the danger that comes their way. The characters are realistic in that tough men like Marcus would seem likely to hide their emotions then think that they are dealing with them through alcohol and isolation. I can’t imagine a suddenly single mother who wouldn’t fill like falling apart but would need to hold it together for her children’s sake. Leah is a great character as she works through her unexpected tragic life changes. Even the children’s response to their father’s death seems realistically heartbreaking. More so then usual in the series the intense feelings are as strong as the suspense.
Also it is a story of suspense with a twist as the story evolves. Just when the characters think that they know exactly who the bad guys are something new happens keeping them on their toes as well as me turning pages to see how it all fits together.
The love story also has elements of loneliness, loss, having to remake your future, guilt and regret. Even more the characters learn the art of surviving a tragic loss, discovering a hopeful future, finding love and forgiveness.
The HORNET crew make appearances when the team needs to work together but it stands well as a stand-alone.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Also it is a story of suspense with a twist as the story evolves. Just when the characters think that they know exactly who the bad guys are something new happens keeping them on their toes as well as me turning pages to see how it all fits together.
The love story also has elements of loneliness, loss, having to remake your future, guilt and regret. Even more the characters learn the art of surviving a tragic loss, discovering a hopeful future, finding love and forgiveness.
The HORNET crew make appearances when the team needs to work together but it stands well as a stand-alone.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 28, 2020
WOW. This one hit me in all the feels.
Marcus is drowning in grief after his best friend Danny’s death and has gone off to lick his wounds. Leah, Danny’s widow, tracks him down months later to ask for his help after she is attacked in relation to a case Danny was working on. They end up working with HORNET and uncover a dark conspiracy. Meanwhile, Marcus is struggling with his feelings for Leah and intense guilt over Danny’s death.
This series is one of my favorites, but admittedly Marcus has been a character that I have been neutral about - until now. Marcus was a character we really didn’t know much about and it was fun to dig into him with this book. I also liked Leah, especially once she got over her distrust of the HORNET team.
Also, can we talk about Ian? He has always been a fascinating character to me and it was so interesting to see more character building with him. It was so well done and I loved every single scene. I have so many questions and I am SO FREAKING EXCITED for his book, which is up next!
Can be read as a standalone, although why would you want to do that? Seriously, read them all!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Tonya Burrows, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book, which I really wanted! As soon as I finished it, I pre-ordered a copy on Amazon to support the author!
Marcus is drowning in grief after his best friend Danny’s death and has gone off to lick his wounds. Leah, Danny’s widow, tracks him down months later to ask for his help after she is attacked in relation to a case Danny was working on. They end up working with HORNET and uncover a dark conspiracy. Meanwhile, Marcus is struggling with his feelings for Leah and intense guilt over Danny’s death.
This series is one of my favorites, but admittedly Marcus has been a character that I have been neutral about - until now. Marcus was a character we really didn’t know much about and it was fun to dig into him with this book. I also liked Leah, especially once she got over her distrust of the HORNET team.
Also, can we talk about Ian? He has always been a fascinating character to me and it was so interesting to see more character building with him. It was so well done and I loved every single scene. I have so many questions and I am SO FREAKING EXCITED for his book, which is up next!
Can be read as a standalone, although why would you want to do that? Seriously, read them all!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Tonya Burrows, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book, which I really wanted! As soon as I finished it, I pre-ordered a copy on Amazon to support the author!
April 26, 2020
This is a fantastic Romantic Suspense. I could not put it down so read it in one day. Leah is a young widow and mother of three, her husband having been killed during a mission with HORNET...a top secret hostage rescue team. Since his death, she wants nothing to do with HORNET. She even accepts the break in friendship with Marcus, a member of the HORNET team and her husband's best friend even though it hurts. That is until something happens that instantly sends Leah running back to Marcus and HORNET"s network.
This book is action packed. It's exciting and had me on edge several times in the best way. Burrows does a great job of portraying the conflicting feels that both Leah and Marcus have as they grow closer. While this book is part of a series, it was very easy to read as a stand-alone and really just makes you want to read the rest. The members of the HORNET team are intriguing and likeable and you just know that Burrows will bring you the same sense of adventure that you find in this book. There is fun, tension, excitement and steam. Everything you could want from a romantic suspense book. I would definitely recommend this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions here are my own.
This book is action packed. It's exciting and had me on edge several times in the best way. Burrows does a great job of portraying the conflicting feels that both Leah and Marcus have as they grow closer. While this book is part of a series, it was very easy to read as a stand-alone and really just makes you want to read the rest. The members of the HORNET team are intriguing and likeable and you just know that Burrows will bring you the same sense of adventure that you find in this book. There is fun, tension, excitement and steam. Everything you could want from a romantic suspense book. I would definitely recommend this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions here are my own.
May 17, 2020
HORNET Agent Marcus Deangelo, former FBI, was there when his best friend and former partner Danny Giancarelli was murdered. He was unable to save Danny and now Danny’s wife, Leah, is left to raise their three children. Marcus is determined to find the man who killed Danny as well as those that ordered the hit. When Leah is attacked and barely escapes, she fears for both her and her children’s safety. What was Danny working on and what information did he leave behind that has brought this danger in to their lives? HORNET team members, a hostage rescue group, will soon learn that Danny’s murder was just the beginning of a far-reaching criminal enterprise, one that people are willing to kill and die for to protect. Hot action starts from the beginning of this fast-paced suspense until the very end. I definitely need to read the first books in this series. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
May 18, 2020
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. While I dropped into the middle of a series, I didn’t feel lost or confused because she does an excellent job of introducing (or reintroducing) characters without detracting from the current main characters and their story.
Marcus and Leah both have a lot of healing to do, and if they could just get beyond their guilt and grief, they could heal together. All that guilt doesn’t stop Marcus from jumping into action when Leah needs him most, and he brings the whole HORNET team along for the ride. While their HEA is found in this book, I’m now anxious to see what happens next for this team. Because of that, I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
Marcus and Leah both have a lot of healing to do, and if they could just get beyond their guilt and grief, they could heal together. All that guilt doesn’t stop Marcus from jumping into action when Leah needs him most, and he brings the whole HORNET team along for the ride. While their HEA is found in this book, I’m now anxious to see what happens next for this team. Because of that, I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
May 18, 2020
To say I loved this book is putting it mildly. This story is SO good. You won't be able to put it down. Marcus and Leah's story is so amazing. So many emotional aspects to this story: heartbreak, sorrow, grief, anger, friendship, love. I guarantee you will love it. Just when I think I have found my favorite HORNET story, a new one comes out and it is another fantastic addition to the series. If you like romantic suspense, you won't want to miss this series. You will not be disappointed.
May 18, 2020
We waited a fair bit of time for this story and boy was it worth the wait! Tonya once again pulls us into the world of Hornet with an action packed love story. The angst these two have over solving the crime and being together is an exciting journey.. Another win by one of my favorites!
Read
May 16, 2020Honor Avenged is the sixth book in the HORNET series by Tonya Burrows. A steamy romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet. While this is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. From the beginning, you are drawn into the action and adventure. The characters are well-written and easy to relate to. I have not read any of the previous books in the Hornet series but plan to after reading Honor Avenged.
July 21, 2020
loved it and this series...each book gets better, each story line gets better! definitely would recommend all her books!
May 23, 2020
Full review appeared at Reader's Edyn on 05/23/20
Leah is in very real danger – except she has no idea just how much or just how close it is. Reeling from the death of her husband and a newfound attraction to their best friend, she is just trying to take things a day at a time as a single mom to three. When she ends up abducted and sucked into the life the HORNETs live and breathe daily – a life her husband was going to turn to – a life that got him killed, she is thrust into a world she had no understanding or appreciation for. When the only two choices are live or die, there really isn't any decision to be debated against. With the HORNETs as her incoming rescue, she is less than thrilled. They are who she blames for everything her life has become. In fact, the only thing they have in common from her perspective is their love for Marcus – and now the fact that she is in peril, abducted and whisked away to a strange land, with only Marcus and the HORNETs to save her leaves her begrudgingly accepting their help. But through all of the craziness and scheming is something much deeper than anyone could have ever anticipated and Leah might be the key to unraveling it all and taking down some seriously devious crime bosses in the process. All she has to do is stay alive, figure out a way to trust the HORNETs, and convince Marcus that their attraction is so much more than the betrayal to her husband and his best friend that he stubbornly insists it is. No big deal.
Marcus is hopelessly in love with Leah. He probably has been for as long as he can remember, but since Danny got her, he never allowed those feelings to manifest. With Danny gone and his connection to Leah growing stronger, it’s getting hard to resist her. But each break feels like disloyalty toward his best friend and he doesn’t want to suck Leah into the deception with him. She’s just grieving, not really feeling anything for him anyway. So he does what he does best and runs – far away – even from his team. But he eventually returns at Leah’s request and immediately turns personal protection detail out of necessity. Except this threat ends up being so much bigger than anyone thought and he needs his team desperately if they are to have a chance of survival. It looks like he’s got a lot of decisions to make. Leah’s safety is the priority, but then he’s got to figure out what to do about his position within the team, and then his future with Leah. That is, if she’ll even speak to him again after they make it out of this harrowing experience she’s been an unwilling participant in.
I feel the need to preface this review by saying that I have not read any of the books in the HORNET series. There is very clearly a lot of carryover from the previous books and I feel it would be in the best interest of any reader to enjoy this series in order. Not to say that I did not enjoy this book. I most certainly did. However, I also know that when I eventually get around to reading this series from the beginning, I will definitely have to read this book again just to keep up on where everyone was and what was occurring. The book works as a stand-alone, yes. But after reading it, I can say with certainty that I know it would have been even better having come into the story with all of the back knowledge in place. As it is, I am left with a lot of questions. Intrigued as well.
While this book is about an elite security team that puts their lives on the line to do the ugly jobs no one wants to think about, it is also a story about overcoming loss and learning to move on. Leah goes through several emotions during this nerve-wracking experience, but when she finally emerges on the other side of all the bad, she has a newfound understanding of life. Not only to appreciate everything you have and not take anything for granted but also new respect for the things the HORNET team does and the people they come into contact with. This enlightenment even transfers into a new direction for Leah’s life that goes beyond just her and Marcus – a direction that could very well place her on HORNETs radar again in the future. I’m just saying. For Marcus things are quite a lot different. He already knows what he wants and is fulfilled with his chosen career path. What he has to realize and learn to embrace is that he is not stealing Danny’s life away from him. He is stepping into a place where there is an absence felt on a molecular level that only he can fulfill. And there couldn’t be a better person for that role. At one point I wanted to knock him upside his head, but the depth of emotions that he went through was gut-wrenching. While I experienced aggravation at the guilt and alienation Marcus wallows in and thrusts at Leah, it was also relevant and appropriate to the situation. Ultimately, I actually ended up enjoying the strife. They didn’t just fall into bed and try to play house, which made me connect to both of them on a deeper level. I also adored Marcus’s freaky great encyclopedia in his head of movie quotes. What a fun and unexpected quirk of this rough and fearsome special ops soldier.
As far as the characters…dang, there were a lot of them! Marcus’s mother stole the show for sure. She is a bad-ass in her own right and has some crazy capable skill. If ever I was in trouble, I’d for sure want that woman at my back. Alexander Cabot – let’s just say he’s been through some shit and what’s coming next is going to have one hell of an effect on HORNET. Then there is Mercedes who we have ascertained is Alexander’s sister. Also that she has some crazy sparks with Ian. She’s the enemy but seems to have turned informant when it suits her. Even begrudging teammate at times. But make no mistake – she is still on the wrong side. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a book in the future for Mercedes and Ian with Mercedes defecting to the HORNET team. She reminds me of Navabi from The Blacklist. When I picture her, that is who I see – so much about those two characters are eerily similar. Then there is Ian. Good grief that guy! He will probably end up with the best book of them all. He’s a puzzle – he’s definitely a mystery and has secrets he’s guarding. Those secrets seem to have something to do with Defion. Since this is my first book, I did not get a clear picture of Defion or how they impacted the team members, but it is definitely some shady, nasty company that no one walks away from. Ian, Alexander, and Mercedes have ties to them and there doesn’t seem to be any love lost between any of them and the evil business. But back to Ian … while there are parts of him difficult to assimilate, he isn’t all that difficult when you break it down. He prefers to be alone and refuses to acknowledge that he needs this team just as much as they need him. He doesn’t do friends, or feelings. He acts like it’s some big inconvenience to be a part of the team. But he is quick to react whenever necessary and despite his tendencies toward violence, his teammates are always at his sixes, keeping him in check. It frustrates the hell out of him, but I believe he secretly craves the connection. For all outward appearances, the guy is only comfortable with his four-legged partner, Tank. And that may be true on some level, but he also needs the link to humanity his team provides. His attraction to Mercedes is going to be a sticky situation and I look forward to reading how it all eventually plays out. I’m clearly just a bit enamored of this fascinating character. Believe me when I say these are just a few of the massive cast of characters assembling to create this fantastic world.
If I had a regret, it is whole-heartedly that I did not start this series at the beginning. With so much obviously carrying over from one book to the next, I strongly recommend reading in order. Now, I did make my way through this book with little difficulty, but assimilating so much information with no back knowledge from the previous books was daunting at times. I did make my way through everything, but there were a few areas I re-read just to try to keep the people and events straight. So please heed my advice … READ IN ORDER … if the other books are half as good as this book, then it will be time well invested. Ms. Burrows has created a fantastic group of men and women within this amazing operative team that each have their own strengths and weaknesses. When melded together as a cohesive unit, they are pretty much unstoppable. I loved that each member was so unique, yet vital to the success of the missions. The depth of emotion experienced throughout this book was unexpected but welcomed. I can tell there is a ton gearing up for the subsequent books in the series and I am excited to see where Ms. Burrows takes these talented, feisty members. Ms. Burrows and the HORNET team series is firmly in my top 5 special ops book series as of, well, immediately. Now to find the time to read the whole series … I will endeavor to make it happen.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
Leah is in very real danger – except she has no idea just how much or just how close it is. Reeling from the death of her husband and a newfound attraction to their best friend, she is just trying to take things a day at a time as a single mom to three. When she ends up abducted and sucked into the life the HORNETs live and breathe daily – a life her husband was going to turn to – a life that got him killed, she is thrust into a world she had no understanding or appreciation for. When the only two choices are live or die, there really isn't any decision to be debated against. With the HORNETs as her incoming rescue, she is less than thrilled. They are who she blames for everything her life has become. In fact, the only thing they have in common from her perspective is their love for Marcus – and now the fact that she is in peril, abducted and whisked away to a strange land, with only Marcus and the HORNETs to save her leaves her begrudgingly accepting their help. But through all of the craziness and scheming is something much deeper than anyone could have ever anticipated and Leah might be the key to unraveling it all and taking down some seriously devious crime bosses in the process. All she has to do is stay alive, figure out a way to trust the HORNETs, and convince Marcus that their attraction is so much more than the betrayal to her husband and his best friend that he stubbornly insists it is. No big deal.
Marcus is hopelessly in love with Leah. He probably has been for as long as he can remember, but since Danny got her, he never allowed those feelings to manifest. With Danny gone and his connection to Leah growing stronger, it’s getting hard to resist her. But each break feels like disloyalty toward his best friend and he doesn’t want to suck Leah into the deception with him. She’s just grieving, not really feeling anything for him anyway. So he does what he does best and runs – far away – even from his team. But he eventually returns at Leah’s request and immediately turns personal protection detail out of necessity. Except this threat ends up being so much bigger than anyone thought and he needs his team desperately if they are to have a chance of survival. It looks like he’s got a lot of decisions to make. Leah’s safety is the priority, but then he’s got to figure out what to do about his position within the team, and then his future with Leah. That is, if she’ll even speak to him again after they make it out of this harrowing experience she’s been an unwilling participant in.
I feel the need to preface this review by saying that I have not read any of the books in the HORNET series. There is very clearly a lot of carryover from the previous books and I feel it would be in the best interest of any reader to enjoy this series in order. Not to say that I did not enjoy this book. I most certainly did. However, I also know that when I eventually get around to reading this series from the beginning, I will definitely have to read this book again just to keep up on where everyone was and what was occurring. The book works as a stand-alone, yes. But after reading it, I can say with certainty that I know it would have been even better having come into the story with all of the back knowledge in place. As it is, I am left with a lot of questions. Intrigued as well.
While this book is about an elite security team that puts their lives on the line to do the ugly jobs no one wants to think about, it is also a story about overcoming loss and learning to move on. Leah goes through several emotions during this nerve-wracking experience, but when she finally emerges on the other side of all the bad, she has a newfound understanding of life. Not only to appreciate everything you have and not take anything for granted but also new respect for the things the HORNET team does and the people they come into contact with. This enlightenment even transfers into a new direction for Leah’s life that goes beyond just her and Marcus – a direction that could very well place her on HORNETs radar again in the future. I’m just saying. For Marcus things are quite a lot different. He already knows what he wants and is fulfilled with his chosen career path. What he has to realize and learn to embrace is that he is not stealing Danny’s life away from him. He is stepping into a place where there is an absence felt on a molecular level that only he can fulfill. And there couldn’t be a better person for that role. At one point I wanted to knock him upside his head, but the depth of emotions that he went through was gut-wrenching. While I experienced aggravation at the guilt and alienation Marcus wallows in and thrusts at Leah, it was also relevant and appropriate to the situation. Ultimately, I actually ended up enjoying the strife. They didn’t just fall into bed and try to play house, which made me connect to both of them on a deeper level. I also adored Marcus’s freaky great encyclopedia in his head of movie quotes. What a fun and unexpected quirk of this rough and fearsome special ops soldier.
As far as the characters…dang, there were a lot of them! Marcus’s mother stole the show for sure. She is a bad-ass in her own right and has some crazy capable skill. If ever I was in trouble, I’d for sure want that woman at my back. Alexander Cabot – let’s just say he’s been through some shit and what’s coming next is going to have one hell of an effect on HORNET. Then there is Mercedes who we have ascertained is Alexander’s sister. Also that she has some crazy sparks with Ian. She’s the enemy but seems to have turned informant when it suits her. Even begrudging teammate at times. But make no mistake – she is still on the wrong side. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a book in the future for Mercedes and Ian with Mercedes defecting to the HORNET team. She reminds me of Navabi from The Blacklist. When I picture her, that is who I see – so much about those two characters are eerily similar. Then there is Ian. Good grief that guy! He will probably end up with the best book of them all. He’s a puzzle – he’s definitely a mystery and has secrets he’s guarding. Those secrets seem to have something to do with Defion. Since this is my first book, I did not get a clear picture of Defion or how they impacted the team members, but it is definitely some shady, nasty company that no one walks away from. Ian, Alexander, and Mercedes have ties to them and there doesn’t seem to be any love lost between any of them and the evil business. But back to Ian … while there are parts of him difficult to assimilate, he isn’t all that difficult when you break it down. He prefers to be alone and refuses to acknowledge that he needs this team just as much as they need him. He doesn’t do friends, or feelings. He acts like it’s some big inconvenience to be a part of the team. But he is quick to react whenever necessary and despite his tendencies toward violence, his teammates are always at his sixes, keeping him in check. It frustrates the hell out of him, but I believe he secretly craves the connection. For all outward appearances, the guy is only comfortable with his four-legged partner, Tank. And that may be true on some level, but he also needs the link to humanity his team provides. His attraction to Mercedes is going to be a sticky situation and I look forward to reading how it all eventually plays out. I’m clearly just a bit enamored of this fascinating character. Believe me when I say these are just a few of the massive cast of characters assembling to create this fantastic world.
If I had a regret, it is whole-heartedly that I did not start this series at the beginning. With so much obviously carrying over from one book to the next, I strongly recommend reading in order. Now, I did make my way through this book with little difficulty, but assimilating so much information with no back knowledge from the previous books was daunting at times. I did make my way through everything, but there were a few areas I re-read just to try to keep the people and events straight. So please heed my advice … READ IN ORDER … if the other books are half as good as this book, then it will be time well invested. Ms. Burrows has created a fantastic group of men and women within this amazing operative team that each have their own strengths and weaknesses. When melded together as a cohesive unit, they are pretty much unstoppable. I loved that each member was so unique, yet vital to the success of the missions. The depth of emotion experienced throughout this book was unexpected but welcomed. I can tell there is a ton gearing up for the subsequent books in the series and I am excited to see where Ms. Burrows takes these talented, feisty members. Ms. Burrows and the HORNET team series is firmly in my top 5 special ops book series as of, well, immediately. Now to find the time to read the whole series … I will endeavor to make it happen.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2020
This story has absolutely everything you could possibly want in a fast paced, tension filled, action packed adventure. I was hooked from start to finish with this extremely well written, enjoyable and entertaining book which I highly recommend.
Merged review:
This story has absolutely everything you could possibly want in a fast paced, tension filled, action packed adventure. I was hooked from start to finish with this extremely well written, enjoyable and entertaining book which I highly recommend.
Merged review:
This story has absolutely everything you could possibly want in a fast paced, tension filled, action packed adventure. I was hooked from start to finish with this extremely well written, enjoyable and entertaining book which I highly recommend.
August 16, 2020
Honor Avenged
This book was very good. It's been quite a while since I had read one of Tonya Borrows HORNET books. While Marcus and Leah were the main characters and story, I can't wait to read more about Ian, Mercedes and Xander.
This book was very good. It's been quite a while since I had read one of Tonya Borrows HORNET books. While Marcus and Leah were the main characters and story, I can't wait to read more about Ian, Mercedes and Xander.
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