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Steele Street #3
Crazy Wild
It’s a long way from the jungles of Colombia to a Colorado library, where Special Forces operative Creed Rivera is staking out one of the world’s most dangerous women. With her prim librarian looks, Cordelia “Cody” Stark doesn’t look like a nuclear arms broker. But nabbing her is Creed’s latest mission–until a trio of thugs shows up and he’s suddenly forced to play hero....
Armed with secrets that could ignite a global inferno, Cody was already running out of places to hide. And now a hotshot government agent has blown her cover by throwing himself between her and certain death. Trusting the hero who just saved her life is not an option. Resisting him is something else entirely. And when bullets start to fly, a man and a woman running out of time are gearing up for the wildest adventure of their lives….
Armed with secrets that could ignite a global inferno, Cody was already running out of places to hide. And now a hotshot government agent has blown her cover by throwing himself between her and certain death. Trusting the hero who just saved her life is not an option. Resisting him is something else entirely. And when bullets start to fly, a man and a woman running out of time are gearing up for the wildest adventure of their lives….
386 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 31, 2006
34 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 29, 2015
I’m loving Tara Janzen’s Steele Street series! Crazy Wild is another winner, although there are some changes from the first two books in the series. This one spends more time on the suspense than the relationship, and doesn’t have the heat of Crazy Hot or Crazy Cool, but it was still a lot of fun.
All the books so far only cover a short period of time (a day or so), so there is always plenty happening and it’s easy to get caught up in the ride and carried away with the adventure. These are fast-paced books – there are thrills aplenty and never a dull moment – just the way I like it!
In this one, the action and suspense is centred around a missing nuclear warhead and the various factions vying to buy it. Naturally the Special Defence Force (SDF) is called in to do what they do best – beat the odds, do the impossible, and save the day. And this team of ex-juvenile delinquents are always up to the task, even if they don’t always play well with others.
Creed is our agent on the job, and is charged with capturing the dangerous nuclear arms broker, linked to the Russian Mafia, before the other terrorist groups get there first. Being attracted to the world’s most dangerous woman is the last thing Creed expects, and his loyalty is pushed to the limit as he discovers he is willing to risk his future for Cody’s freedom.
In this book, we learn the agonising details of Creed’s ordeal in South America that left his best friend and fellow agent J.T. dead, and see him get his vengeance before starting on this mission. This is definitely a guy with a lot of damage and it’s understandable that everyone thinks he’s coming undone – including himself. Creed definitely fits the bill of a tortured hero, but there was also more too him that just that experience.
I’ve liked every hero that the author has written so far, and Creed is no exception. She sure knows how to write them! The harder sell in this one is that unlike the previous two books, Creed and Cody don’t have a history, so their relationship has to fully develop in a believable way very quickly. I was happy to go with it, just like I’m happy to go long with anything this author dishes up, and I walked away satisfied with the romance element.
As always, she also delivered a delicious secondary romance (or at least the beginnings of one) that leaves you wanting more, more, MORE! It’s nice to have something to look forward to, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it.
All the books so far only cover a short period of time (a day or so), so there is always plenty happening and it’s easy to get caught up in the ride and carried away with the adventure. These are fast-paced books – there are thrills aplenty and never a dull moment – just the way I like it!
In this one, the action and suspense is centred around a missing nuclear warhead and the various factions vying to buy it. Naturally the Special Defence Force (SDF) is called in to do what they do best – beat the odds, do the impossible, and save the day. And this team of ex-juvenile delinquents are always up to the task, even if they don’t always play well with others.
Creed is our agent on the job, and is charged with capturing the dangerous nuclear arms broker, linked to the Russian Mafia, before the other terrorist groups get there first. Being attracted to the world’s most dangerous woman is the last thing Creed expects, and his loyalty is pushed to the limit as he discovers he is willing to risk his future for Cody’s freedom.
In this book, we learn the agonising details of Creed’s ordeal in South America that left his best friend and fellow agent J.T. dead, and see him get his vengeance before starting on this mission. This is definitely a guy with a lot of damage and it’s understandable that everyone thinks he’s coming undone – including himself. Creed definitely fits the bill of a tortured hero, but there was also more too him that just that experience.
I’ve liked every hero that the author has written so far, and Creed is no exception. She sure knows how to write them! The harder sell in this one is that unlike the previous two books, Creed and Cody don’t have a history, so their relationship has to fully develop in a believable way very quickly. I was happy to go with it, just like I’m happy to go long with anything this author dishes up, and I walked away satisfied with the romance element.
As always, she also delivered a delicious secondary romance (or at least the beginnings of one) that leaves you wanting more, more, MORE! It’s nice to have something to look forward to, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it.
June 24, 2008
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Crazy Wild was the third book about a group of former car thieves who are agents for a government organization called SDF. This book is about Creed Rivera, who is in a bad state due to having been captured in Columbia a few months earlier where he watched as his best friend was brutally tortured to death. Creed is back home at agency headquarters in Denver when he is sent to find and bring in a woman, Dominika Starkova, aka Cordelia "Cody" Stark. SDF has been told that Cody is trying to broker a nuclear warhead on the black market. After Creed finds Cody, he quickly decides that there is more to her story, and he is determined to protect her from several terrorist organizations that are after her, as well as some goverment agencies. Other SDF members who figure prominently in this book are Dylan Hart, head of the agency, and Skeeter Bangs, a protege of some of the agents.
This book was ever bit as action packed as the first two. It was very engrossing and was a fast read. I enjoyed the characters of the hero and the heroine in this book, just as I have all of the characters of this series. I liked the chemistry between Creed Rivera and Cody Stark. I didn't think this book was quite as wonderful as the 2nd in the series, mostly due to one event in the book that I didn't like. I am so interested in this series that I am on to the next one, the story of Kid Chronopolous and Nikki McKinney. I definitely recommend reading this series in order.
This book was ever bit as action packed as the first two. It was very engrossing and was a fast read. I enjoyed the characters of the hero and the heroine in this book, just as I have all of the characters of this series. I liked the chemistry between Creed Rivera and Cody Stark. I didn't think this book was quite as wonderful as the 2nd in the series, mostly due to one event in the book that I didn't like. I am so interested in this series that I am on to the next one, the story of Kid Chronopolous and Nikki McKinney. I definitely recommend reading this series in order.
October 26, 2010
About 3.75 for the action, as silly as it was. At least it wasn't nearly as messy as the previous installment, with fewer POVs and one straight forward plot. The romance was a little odd, though.
Cody Stark is a wanted woman. Involved with the Russian mafia, labeled a terrorist, she's hiding out in Denver working as a librarian. She's in danger not only from the bad guys, but from the "good" guys as well.
Creed Rivera, fresh off a spree of vengeance against his torturers and the killers of his best friend in South America, is tasked with watching her at the library and bringing her into Steele Street headquarters if possible. It's supposed to be a pretty low-key assignment, all things considered, although none of his colleagues thinks he's stable enough to be working any assignment, especially not one with a nuclear warhead at the end of it.
Can a warrior in PTSD overdrive and an accidental terrorist find love in the middle of a blizzard in Denver, Colorado?
You betcha!
All in one night, too.
That's the problem. It's kind of cool that we can see their chemistry evolve over one incredibly action-filled night, but ultimately it feels unfinished. We go a long time -- the majority of the book -- before Cody fills Creed in on the whole truth of things, and that may have been a sticking point for me. After a while I didn't want that stuff hanging out there, I wanted them to connect on a level beyond physical and there was just too much baggage for me to believe in anything more than sexual attraction.
The secondary romance is pretty interesting, however, and I look forward to seeing more of that.
Yes, I'm continuing this silly series. It's outlandish fun and Janzen is extremely devilish about teasing future couples, so I guess I'm in for a while.
Cody Stark is a wanted woman. Involved with the Russian mafia, labeled a terrorist, she's hiding out in Denver working as a librarian. She's in danger not only from the bad guys, but from the "good" guys as well.
Creed Rivera, fresh off a spree of vengeance against his torturers and the killers of his best friend in South America, is tasked with watching her at the library and bringing her into Steele Street headquarters if possible. It's supposed to be a pretty low-key assignment, all things considered, although none of his colleagues thinks he's stable enough to be working any assignment, especially not one with a nuclear warhead at the end of it.
Can a warrior in PTSD overdrive and an accidental terrorist find love in the middle of a blizzard in Denver, Colorado?
You betcha!
All in one night, too.
That's the problem. It's kind of cool that we can see their chemistry evolve over one incredibly action-filled night, but ultimately it feels unfinished. We go a long time -- the majority of the book -- before Cody fills Creed in on the whole truth of things, and that may have been a sticking point for me. After a while I didn't want that stuff hanging out there, I wanted them to connect on a level beyond physical and there was just too much baggage for me to believe in anything more than sexual attraction.
The secondary romance is pretty interesting, however, and I look forward to seeing more of that.
Yes, I'm continuing this silly series. It's outlandish fun and Janzen is extremely devilish about teasing future couples, so I guess I'm in for a while.
August 6, 2016
Though the last two rebels responsible for JT's death have to be put down quickly by boys since they're needed home from their personal mission, avenging JT, to find out the particulars on a Russian nuclear arms deal in America's heartland. Creed gets the hot hand and the hot babe with more feathers on her tail than a peacock, including CIA agents envious of Grant's team.
Party girl Cody Stark's broken heart leads her to look for dear old dad, in Russia where she falls in with the bad crowd. That crowd introduces her to danger that gets worse when she witnesses a murder, her father unwittingly entrusts her with clues to secrets that have kept him alive then trades her to mobsters to save his own life. When the mobsters find out what she has it's off to Denver for safety.
Finding the girl was easy so was falling hard for her but keeping her safe from the Iranians, Germans and Russians was proving to be a challenge... even for Creed. Meanwhile, Dylan's kept his distance to Skeeter's charms but his armor is pierced through the heart when she's determined to do her part in helping ease the hole in Steele Street left by JT.
Another good outing in this fun series, it's full of action, adventure, romance drama and a tad of mystery. Delving deeper into Steele Street, I want to live there with the hot cars, hot guys, danger and fun on every case.
Rating: 4stars
Party girl Cody Stark's broken heart leads her to look for dear old dad, in Russia where she falls in with the bad crowd. That crowd introduces her to danger that gets worse when she witnesses a murder, her father unwittingly entrusts her with clues to secrets that have kept him alive then trades her to mobsters to save his own life. When the mobsters find out what she has it's off to Denver for safety.
Finding the girl was easy so was falling hard for her but keeping her safe from the Iranians, Germans and Russians was proving to be a challenge... even for Creed. Meanwhile, Dylan's kept his distance to Skeeter's charms but his armor is pierced through the heart when she's determined to do her part in helping ease the hole in Steele Street left by JT.
Another good outing in this fun series, it's full of action, adventure, romance drama and a tad of mystery. Delving deeper into Steele Street, I want to live there with the hot cars, hot guys, danger and fun on every case.
Rating: 4stars
April 26, 2011
3.5/ 5 not quite four stars.
I didn't feel like I got to know Creed and Cody all that well, they were always on the hoof and dodging bad guys and bullets. I did really like Creed though, and felt for what he endured during his captivity and torture.
Off to the next one, Kids book.
Can't wait to see how him and Nikki end up, and hopefully read a bit more about Which caught me by surprise mind you. I thought she'd end up with Travis :P
I didn't feel like I got to know Creed and Cody all that well, they were always on the hoof and dodging bad guys and bullets. I did really like Creed though, and felt for what he endured during his captivity and torture.
Off to the next one, Kids book.
Can't wait to see how him and Nikki end up, and hopefully read a bit more about Which caught me by surprise mind you. I thought she'd end up with Travis :P
October 17, 2015
Two-haiku review:
Crushed by partner's death
He seeks woman selling nuke
But is she really?
Even more action
I'm loving this series lots
Best read in order
Crushed by partner's death
He seeks woman selling nuke
But is she really?
Even more action
I'm loving this series lots
Best read in order
July 16, 2011
Meh. Almost DNF'ed this one right away, due to extreme info-dumping, to which I say: read some Marjorie Liu, see how it's done. Exposition is not your friend and must be handled carefully.
After the first few bumps I found it readable, fun but with a huge red flag. SPOILER ALERT.
Cody is raped before the book takes place. She doesn't consider it rape since she didn't explicitly say no, but I'm going to assume I don't have to explain why it really is rape when a man who just brutally murdered your friend and holds your life in his hands coerces you into sex. Let's just...assume that. So Cody feels very ashamed about what happened. This is not what I have a problem with. What I have a problem with is the way Creed reacts to this news. He sees that she feels ashamed, and instead of telling her it wasn't her fault and she really was raped, he makes her an honorary Catholic and tells her that since she didn't explicitly consent, it isn't a mortal sin and she can work it off. A-what now? I don't even think Creed believes that Cody has a "sin" to work off, I think he thinks that what she needs to hear is that she can be redeemed. I just....what the fuck. And Cody feels way better about the whole situation after that.
END SPOILER ALERT.
That's a lot of thinking and writing about a book I didn't really like, and I actually have more to say about it that I won't get into. This particular plot point is handled in a very fucked up way that I didn't appreciate, and I honestly think Janzen could have done it better. I think she's a better writer than that.
After the first few bumps I found it readable, fun but with a huge red flag. SPOILER ALERT.
Cody is raped before the book takes place. She doesn't consider it rape since she didn't explicitly say no, but I'm going to assume I don't have to explain why it really is rape when a man who just brutally murdered your friend and holds your life in his hands coerces you into sex. Let's just...assume that. So Cody feels very ashamed about what happened. This is not what I have a problem with. What I have a problem with is the way Creed reacts to this news. He sees that she feels ashamed, and instead of telling her it wasn't her fault and she really was raped, he makes her an honorary Catholic and tells her that since she didn't explicitly consent, it isn't a mortal sin and she can work it off. A-what now? I don't even think Creed believes that Cody has a "sin" to work off, I think he thinks that what she needs to hear is that she can be redeemed. I just....what the fuck. And Cody feels way better about the whole situation after that.
END SPOILER ALERT.
That's a lot of thinking and writing about a book I didn't really like, and I actually have more to say about it that I won't get into. This particular plot point is handled in a very fucked up way that I didn't appreciate, and I honestly think Janzen could have done it better. I think she's a better writer than that.
February 16, 2011
Holy freakin Tarzan, Creed 'the jungle boy' was the wild and brooding one. There was not much of Creed's background from previous books apart from the fact that he was hurt in his missions in Columbia. And he was still emotionally and psychology unbalanced in this book. He had nightmares and felt guilty about J.T's death.
He was so alone and so was Cordelia (Cody) and they overwhelmed each other and they had sex after meeting for the first time 5 hours prior, I got that. But what freaked me out a bit was the UNSAFE hot sex they had. Creed, you don't poke people you just met without a condom on. Maybe you were too anxious and hadn't had any for a very long time, but still it was no excuse for being irresponsible.
I enjoyed the introductions to Skeeter and Dylan's entanglement though. They were cute together. I am heading to Kid's story in book #4 next.
He was so alone and so was Cordelia (Cody) and they overwhelmed each other and they had sex after meeting for the first time 5 hours prior, I got that. But what freaked me out a bit was the UNSAFE hot sex they had. Creed, you don't poke people you just met without a condom on. Maybe you were too anxious and hadn't had any for a very long time, but still it was no excuse for being irresponsible.
I enjoyed the introductions to Skeeter and Dylan's entanglement though. They were cute together. I am heading to Kid's story in book #4 next.
March 31, 2015
I think Creed is a bit less developed than some of the other heroes, which is a bummer because he has a great premise.
March 13, 2018
What a fun, crazy ride! I borrowed this from a friend because it's one of her favorite thrift store books, and now I might have to go find the rest of the series. The action is fast-paced, constant and kept me on the edge of my seat. I flew through this book because it kept my attention so well. It's obvious that this book is in the middle of an ongoing series, but the author does a great job of mentioning old histories to keep the reader up to date. I didn't really feel out of the loop because the main histories are repeated quite a few times- maybe a few too many times. However, it's quite apparent that there is a lot going on, and the government parts had me a bit confused.
I really want to see Skeeter's backstory. She is one badass lady and I adored her so much. Creed, our main hero of this story, is a crazy guy but he really endeared himself to me as the story went on. His romance with Cody was done really well- I often get annoyed by the attempt to force a romance into a book that is mostly action because it never feels real or necessary, but the slow progression of their trust and the natural steaminess felt right. Creed's ptsd is also handled really well. There is so much backstory to this whole organization, and I'm not sure I want to know all of it (things get pretty graphic from what we're told in this book), but I'm interested enough that I might give the rest of the series a try. There's no denying how fun this book was to read- only took me a partial day, and my boyfriend kept teasing that I couldn't put it down long enough to eat. Also, I'm just gonna say that I would LOVE to live in Creed's loft. Totally my aesthetic, hands down.
I really want to see Skeeter's backstory. She is one badass lady and I adored her so much. Creed, our main hero of this story, is a crazy guy but he really endeared himself to me as the story went on. His romance with Cody was done really well- I often get annoyed by the attempt to force a romance into a book that is mostly action because it never feels real or necessary, but the slow progression of their trust and the natural steaminess felt right. Creed's ptsd is also handled really well. There is so much backstory to this whole organization, and I'm not sure I want to know all of it (things get pretty graphic from what we're told in this book), but I'm interested enough that I might give the rest of the series a try. There's no denying how fun this book was to read- only took me a partial day, and my boyfriend kept teasing that I couldn't put it down long enough to eat. Also, I'm just gonna say that I would LOVE to live in Creed's loft. Totally my aesthetic, hands down.
April 17, 2020
Another quarantine read, and honestly, THIS WAS THE BEST ONE YET. I literally gasped at a character reveal, in sheer delight over the build-up over the previous two books. I am marching forward to the next book with bells on.
June 26, 2017
And crazy wild it was!! Loved this book and adore this series!
September 11, 2017
I read this entire series a while ago. I liked the writing style, setting and characters. Fun, fast reads - all of them.
March 6, 2019
Good book
August 25, 2019
A fantastic and action-packed book. Strong heroine and sexy hero are always on my must-read list. Once you start reading these, you'll want them all.
Read
September 22, 2025dnf
December 30, 2023
This is my third time reading this book. The last time I read it was probably ten years ago. It doesn't hold up as well as I was hoping. Though I really did appreciate the conversation about consent. The hero makes a point to tell the heroine that if there is no full consent, then it's rape. These conversations were kind of unheard of in 2016 when this was released, so that definitely held up!
What I mean by the rest not holding up is that I guess I got a bit frustrated at the jumping back and forth between the main couple and other people. I'm fine with a little bit of that, but especially towards the end, it felt like every other section or chapter was a flip-flop between Creed and Cody and someone else. Mostly Dylan and Skeeter. I like Dylan and Skeeter, and it did make me look forward more toward their book, but I certainly didn't need a blow by blow of what was happening with them. The flip-flopping was also my biggest complaint about the other two books. It just happens a LOT in these stories, and I wish it would happen less.
Focusing solely on Creed and Cody's relationship, it's a good one and an interesting story to read. Like the last two books, the time frame of this story was about 24 to 48 hours. The last two heroes had actually known their women in the past so them falling in love so quickly made total sense, but this one was a little bit less believable because they met for the first time when Creed was tailing her.
The high octane of the situation did make sense a little bit for extreme feelings to come up, but I have a hard time believing they'll make it in the long run. But Creed did suffer from a horrendous situation being held captive and witnessing his best friend be tortured and executed. So I could see him holding onto the first woman to make him feel sane and safe again. But ya know, this is fiction! So it doesn't have to be realistic!
The background that Cody has was very well plotted, and I liked how thorough it was. I liked her as a character, too.
There are two to three sex scenes all kind of clumped together about two-thirds in. They're detailed and explicit, but not super dirty. The hero thinks of it as making love and not just having sex, so there's a tenderness to the scenes.
In the next book, we're finally getting back to Kid Chaos and Nikki. While I was glad that there weren't any scenes with them, like there were in the last two books, I'm excited to see them get their happy ending. Finally.
What I mean by the rest not holding up is that I guess I got a bit frustrated at the jumping back and forth between the main couple and other people. I'm fine with a little bit of that, but especially towards the end, it felt like every other section or chapter was a flip-flop between Creed and Cody and someone else. Mostly Dylan and Skeeter. I like Dylan and Skeeter, and it did make me look forward more toward their book, but I certainly didn't need a blow by blow of what was happening with them. The flip-flopping was also my biggest complaint about the other two books. It just happens a LOT in these stories, and I wish it would happen less.
Focusing solely on Creed and Cody's relationship, it's a good one and an interesting story to read. Like the last two books, the time frame of this story was about 24 to 48 hours. The last two heroes had actually known their women in the past so them falling in love so quickly made total sense, but this one was a little bit less believable because they met for the first time when Creed was tailing her.
The high octane of the situation did make sense a little bit for extreme feelings to come up, but I have a hard time believing they'll make it in the long run. But Creed did suffer from a horrendous situation being held captive and witnessing his best friend be tortured and executed. So I could see him holding onto the first woman to make him feel sane and safe again. But ya know, this is fiction! So it doesn't have to be realistic!
The background that Cody has was very well plotted, and I liked how thorough it was. I liked her as a character, too.
There are two to three sex scenes all kind of clumped together about two-thirds in. They're detailed and explicit, but not super dirty. The hero thinks of it as making love and not just having sex, so there's a tenderness to the scenes.
In the next book, we're finally getting back to Kid Chaos and Nikki. While I was glad that there weren't any scenes with them, like there were in the last two books, I'm excited to see them get their happy ending. Finally.
October 12, 2010
Yowza you want to talk about an intense first chapter, it was crazy with Creed and Kid tracking the last two survivors of the men who held Creed and J.T. (Kid's bro) captive.
Alright I have to comment on this, enough with the "Geezus" and "Keerist" spell it out right. It has officially gotten on my nervous after 3 books of it.
I'm really liking the character of Creed. He comes off being dark with the flashbacks to his captivity and torture in South America and the post traumatic stress from the experience and having his partner J.T. die. Janzen is did a really great job of molding Creed into a complex character who is interesting to read.
Wow Janzen goes darker with this book, definite shift from the first book "Crazy Hot". That book could be described as light hearted fun, not so with this book. What is revealed that happened to Creed and J.T. in the jungle is not pretty. Reading about how Creed felt he had to "bear witness" to what happened to J.T. had my eyes tearing up.
Good God the cars just keep getting better and better, Creed drives a cherry red black stripped Chevelle (insert swoon here).
A sweet story is revealed about Skeeter and Hawkins, author seems to be setting up another love connection between Skeeter and Dylan, can't wait to see where that one leads.
Even after I finished the book I am still sort of wondering why or how Creed and Cody got together. I will give some leeway though for not being impressed with this book or couple; I felt like I was rushing through this book to get to the next (Kid and Nikki's story) Although this book started off super strong and Creed was an intense character it was a bit of a disappoint to me, not a strong couple, a meandering storyline, and not nearly enough of the Chevelle.
B- and C (I honestly couldn't decide, the first half B- and second part C)
Alright I have to comment on this, enough with the "Geezus" and "Keerist" spell it out right. It has officially gotten on my nervous after 3 books of it.
I'm really liking the character of Creed. He comes off being dark with the flashbacks to his captivity and torture in South America and the post traumatic stress from the experience and having his partner J.T. die. Janzen is did a really great job of molding Creed into a complex character who is interesting to read.
Wow Janzen goes darker with this book, definite shift from the first book "Crazy Hot". That book could be described as light hearted fun, not so with this book. What is revealed that happened to Creed and J.T. in the jungle is not pretty. Reading about how Creed felt he had to "bear witness" to what happened to J.T. had my eyes tearing up.
Good God the cars just keep getting better and better, Creed drives a cherry red black stripped Chevelle (insert swoon here).
A sweet story is revealed about Skeeter and Hawkins, author seems to be setting up another love connection between Skeeter and Dylan, can't wait to see where that one leads.
Even after I finished the book I am still sort of wondering why or how Creed and Cody got together. I will give some leeway though for not being impressed with this book or couple; I felt like I was rushing through this book to get to the next (Kid and Nikki's story) Although this book started off super strong and Creed was an intense character it was a bit of a disappoint to me, not a strong couple, a meandering storyline, and not nearly enough of the Chevelle.
B- and C (I honestly couldn't decide, the first half B- and second part C)
February 17, 2011
Jumping into this one right after having read Crazy Cool I was a little thrown because we hadn't gotten much of Creed, and I was expecting Kid's story. But then here came Jungle Boy Creed out of Colombia battling the demons that are still crawling all over him and I was immediately captivated. As fast as some of these stories go, as two characters go from strangers, to lovers, to forever in the span of one intense night, the series itself makes you believe it all: the trials, heartache of losing one of their brothers, the unimaginable horror of what Creed and JT faced in Colombia. All of it is captured in such a intense, brutal way that carves these heroes open allowing you to crawl inside and really see them. They become more than you might expect from an action romance hero. You hurt for Creed. You see him facing JT's last moments. And you feel the intense romance of the salvation he finds in Cordelia.
Cordelia, or Cody for short, is running. She's been running for so long that she's about to fall apart. She isn't what SDF thinks she is, what the CIA believe her to be. She's caught in the middle of a dangerous situation that's end-the-world big. But she's only one woman, and finally after finding out how low she can go to survive she's intercepted by Creed. The man who just got home and is this close to losing his head over the memories he can't escape. In one night of chases, escapes, blizzards, terrorists, and a certain hot tub these two are going to find the only other person that can save them from themselves. This one is fast, and intense, but it all comes together in such a romantic way that you'll believe every bit of it. And even if you don't, you'll want to.
Cordelia, or Cody for short, is running. She's been running for so long that she's about to fall apart. She isn't what SDF thinks she is, what the CIA believe her to be. She's caught in the middle of a dangerous situation that's end-the-world big. But she's only one woman, and finally after finding out how low she can go to survive she's intercepted by Creed. The man who just got home and is this close to losing his head over the memories he can't escape. In one night of chases, escapes, blizzards, terrorists, and a certain hot tub these two are going to find the only other person that can save them from themselves. This one is fast, and intense, but it all comes together in such a romantic way that you'll believe every bit of it. And even if you don't, you'll want to.
May 19, 2010
I am beginning to think that anything with Tara Janzen's name on it is a slam dunk! I've already read and raved about the first two books in this series and now I'm getting ready to rave about this one...well, here goes!
This is a wild and suspenseful ride that involves the plot of a hidden nuclear warhear, terrorists that want it, and a pretty lady who has the map! Cody is quite the lady...she is crafty, quirky, and has the tendency towards running, escape, and disguise! Creed is the stuff that dreams are made of..he's sexy yet human, strong yet sensitive, dangerous yet safe, and a loner yet loyal. The romance developes quickly as they are on the run for most of the book.
Another bonus of reading book by this author is that she tends to involve secondary couples who are even more interesting that the main couple. Kid and Nikki were the focus of the first 2 and now it's Skeeter and Dylan's turn. Both get their own story in the future...hurray!
One last thing...The Headquarters on Steele Street is absolutely fascinating..I don't often get mental images of buildings, but in these stories you can't help it. Creed's floor in the headquaters is basically a jungle growing in the midst of a warehouse. It is also equiped with a pool/waterfall/lagoon, that of course Cody and Creed put to good use. I wish it were real...I'd love to visit! Anyway, do not hesitate to read this or any of the Crazy books..it will be time well spent!
This is a wild and suspenseful ride that involves the plot of a hidden nuclear warhear, terrorists that want it, and a pretty lady who has the map! Cody is quite the lady...she is crafty, quirky, and has the tendency towards running, escape, and disguise! Creed is the stuff that dreams are made of..he's sexy yet human, strong yet sensitive, dangerous yet safe, and a loner yet loyal. The romance developes quickly as they are on the run for most of the book.
Another bonus of reading book by this author is that she tends to involve secondary couples who are even more interesting that the main couple. Kid and Nikki were the focus of the first 2 and now it's Skeeter and Dylan's turn. Both get their own story in the future...hurray!
One last thing...The Headquarters on Steele Street is absolutely fascinating..I don't often get mental images of buildings, but in these stories you can't help it. Creed's floor in the headquaters is basically a jungle growing in the midst of a warehouse. It is also equiped with a pool/waterfall/lagoon, that of course Cody and Creed put to good use. I wish it were real...I'd love to visit! Anyway, do not hesitate to read this or any of the Crazy books..it will be time well spent!
July 23, 2008
Creed has just returned from a mission in South America. This mission was very personal, and not easy to recoup from. He’s become the SDF’s jungle boy, almost a wild card, but they also know he’s ready for his next assignment. Enter Blond Bimbo with a Bomb. She has a bomb for sale, and she has a lot of potential buyers. Creed’s job is to locate her before they do, and protect her until he can hand her and the location of the bomb off to the right branch of the US government. Unfortunately, handing her off will be a little difficult for him, after that kiss on the snowy rooftop. With a little help from Skeeter and Hart, Creed will keep Cody Stark alive and out of the hands of the Germans, Russians, Taliban, and whoever else she is running away from. For a little longer at least. And with no help from anyone, Creed will do a lot more to the Bombshell wearing the Days-of-the-Week undies.
A fun and quick read. I’m enjoying reading about the Steele Street gang, and how they make up a happy little family (or something like that). Again, this story opens up another story line, for a future book, I assume. This one had more life-or-death action, less sweaty-between-the-sheets action…
A fun and quick read. I’m enjoying reading about the Steele Street gang, and how they make up a happy little family (or something like that). Again, this story opens up another story line, for a future book, I assume. This one had more life-or-death action, less sweaty-between-the-sheets action…
March 30, 2013
I am really late to the party with Tara Janzen but with the absolute hole in the romantic suspense market I’m so happy I was able to find her now. This Steele Street series is full of alpha, sexy former military men working special ops. Creed has survived torture and even though he’s alive he has really only half returned back to the land of the living. He’s on a new assignment, trying to track down the Blonde with the Bomb but the mousey brunette he’s located in the Denver public library looks nothing like the party girl he was expecting. But when baddies start popping up around the library, Creed has to intervene and pull Cody to safety. Cody’s been on the run for months now and even though she’s terrified of the men after her, this mystery man who’s stepped in to save her doesn’t look that much safer. But as the night progresses and they find that they only have each other to lean on, trust begins to build and is put to the test. Wonderfully written, lots of great action. It’s almost hard to believe that the story happens almost all in one evening. There was some great build up to the next story in the series. So excited to read more!
July 15, 2014
***********re-readed July 14,2014*****
I recently cleaned out my garage and stumbled across the Steele Street books and decided to give them a re-read, I am so glad I did. I love this series. Creed( the Jungle Boy) & Cody are my favorite. I love the action, the suspense and the romance. This book was very good as the whole series is good. I love how the author gives you little glimpses into other characters and small details about other stories w/o taking the main focus off of the primary story, I love this book! if you are looking for romance ,hot sex, suspense, & action, in a series this is the one for you.
This is my favorite of all the Steele St books, I just loved Creed the "Jungle Boy" and Cody the plain "Jane" in the crazy spy world of SDF. This is a fast paced book,had lots of action a Good plot and hot sex.This is one of my favorite books ever! TJ writes a wonderful story , she does a great job of character development, and writing the story so you get a glimpse of other characters and future books w/o taking away from the main characters. the writing style reminds me of J.R. Ward BDB books 1-5. excellent series.
I recently cleaned out my garage and stumbled across the Steele Street books and decided to give them a re-read, I am so glad I did. I love this series. Creed( the Jungle Boy) & Cody are my favorite. I love the action, the suspense and the romance. This book was very good as the whole series is good. I love how the author gives you little glimpses into other characters and small details about other stories w/o taking the main focus off of the primary story, I love this book! if you are looking for romance ,hot sex, suspense, & action, in a series this is the one for you.
This is my favorite of all the Steele St books, I just loved Creed the "Jungle Boy" and Cody the plain "Jane" in the crazy spy world of SDF. This is a fast paced book,had lots of action a Good plot and hot sex.This is one of my favorite books ever! TJ writes a wonderful story , she does a great job of character development, and writing the story so you get a glimpse of other characters and future books w/o taking away from the main characters. the writing style reminds me of J.R. Ward BDB books 1-5. excellent series.
March 25, 2008
The entire book, all 386 pages, covers like 14 hours time. Which is a negative in my opinion. Too much happening too quickly. The other two books are fast paced as well, but with this one it just didn't sit right. And even though it was fast-paced, the story seemed to drag. It lacked the...pizazz the other two books had, as well as the innate eroticsm in the romance department. Creed and Cody were a good pair, but they didn't have the spark that the pairings from books 1 & 2 had. The story just needed a bit more depth. There was a lot of potential emotional depth to the story, but it was never utilized.
On the plus side, the biggest redeeming quality of the story was the very early beginnings of a romance between Dylan and Skeeter, who will be focused on in book 5. I really enjoyed that aspect and am looking forward to reading their story.
Overall, it was a decent book, but I liked the other 2 better.
On the plus side, the biggest redeeming quality of the story was the very early beginnings of a romance between Dylan and Skeeter, who will be focused on in book 5. I really enjoyed that aspect and am looking forward to reading their story.
Overall, it was a decent book, but I liked the other 2 better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2012
Overall Rating: 4.95 // Action: 5 / Emotion: 5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 3.75 / Suspense: 4 // Laughter: 8 / Tears: 4
Tara Janzen wrote another winner in "The Steele Street Series." Crazy Wild is about another hunky, tormented, alpha hero who saved an intelligent, beautiful heroine. Action enthusiasts will enjoy all the adventures the protagonists face. Emotional enthusiasts will shed tears and become involved in the hero and heroine's angst. Suspense lovers will be on the edge of their seat wondering how Creed is going to save Cody from such an un-save-able, un-fix-able situation. And although it took a while for them to get there, the sensuality and romance was hot, yet healing.
Am anxious to get to the next book of the series. See Wolf Bear Does Books for a more in-depth, detailed review of Crazy Wild.
Tara Janzen wrote another winner in "The Steele Street Series." Crazy Wild is about another hunky, tormented, alpha hero who saved an intelligent, beautiful heroine. Action enthusiasts will enjoy all the adventures the protagonists face. Emotional enthusiasts will shed tears and become involved in the hero and heroine's angst. Suspense lovers will be on the edge of their seat wondering how Creed is going to save Cody from such an un-save-able, un-fix-able situation. And although it took a while for them to get there, the sensuality and romance was hot, yet healing.
Am anxious to get to the next book of the series. See Wolf Bear Does Books for a more in-depth, detailed review of Crazy Wild.
October 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this, more than I thought I would. I like hot shot bad boy secref agent commandos who work for hot dogs, Mom and apple pie, and who fall in love with the woman, and I like it even more when they are all part of a community that laps over into every book in the series.
May 2020: I absolutely had to upgrade this to a full four stars (from 3.5)because after my four read of this book in less than a year and a half, I love this book and it is my favorite (so far) in the author’s Steele Street series. I highly recommend this series to any readers who like to indulge in a fictional walk on the wild side. Also, the heroine is a librarian (but what is it with all these librarians who never talk about books and what they are currently reading)?
Between TJ’s Steele Street and Kristen Ashley’s Dream Men/Chaos series, Denver is chock full of hot men/bad boys on wheels.
Beyond a doubt this is my favorite Steele Street book, although they are all so very good.
May 2020: I absolutely had to upgrade this to a full four stars (from 3.5)because after my four read of this book in less than a year and a half, I love this book and it is my favorite (so far) in the author’s Steele Street series. I highly recommend this series to any readers who like to indulge in a fictional walk on the wild side. Also, the heroine is a librarian (but what is it with all these librarians who never talk about books and what they are currently reading)?
Between TJ’s Steele Street and Kristen Ashley’s Dream Men/Chaos series, Denver is chock full of hot men/bad boys on wheels.
Beyond a doubt this is my favorite Steele Street book, although they are all so very good.
January 21, 2014
CRAZY WILD - STEELE STREET #3 - (Creed and Cody)
It’s a long way from the jungles of Colombia to a Colorado library, where Special Forces operative Creed Rivera is staking out one of the world’s most dangerous women. With her prim librarian looks, Cordelia “Cody” Stark doesn’t look like a nuclear arms broker. But nabbing her is Creed’s latest mission–until a trio of thugs shows up and he’s suddenly forced to play hero....
Armed with secrets that could ignite a global inferno, Cody was already running out of places to hide. And now a hotshot government agent has blown her cover by throwing himself between her and certain death. Trusting the hero who just saved her life is not an option. Resisting him is something else entirely. And when bullets start to fly, a man and a woman running out of time are gearing up for the wildest adventure of their lives…
It’s a long way from the jungles of Colombia to a Colorado library, where Special Forces operative Creed Rivera is staking out one of the world’s most dangerous women. With her prim librarian looks, Cordelia “Cody” Stark doesn’t look like a nuclear arms broker. But nabbing her is Creed’s latest mission–until a trio of thugs shows up and he’s suddenly forced to play hero....
Armed with secrets that could ignite a global inferno, Cody was already running out of places to hide. And now a hotshot government agent has blown her cover by throwing himself between her and certain death. Trusting the hero who just saved her life is not an option. Resisting him is something else entirely. And when bullets start to fly, a man and a woman running out of time are gearing up for the wildest adventure of their lives…
December 19, 2013
Great read. Lots of action, romance and humor. I love an author who doesn't take her characters to seriously and lets us have a little laugh at their expense.
Creed is damaged goods. He watched his best friend and fellow operative die a horrible death and he could do nothing to stop it. He is back home and his assignment is to stake out and apprehend a suspected arms trafficker. But, this bad ass has a really shapely ass and is really good at evasion. She has to be with the number of people who want her dead on her tail.
Cody only wanted to get to know the father she never knew. After breaking up with her fiancée, she goes to Prague and her dear loving father has left her with the map to a nuclear warhead leftover from the old USSR. Daddy dearest also set her up with some real bad dudes who want said warhead to sell to the highest bidder.
Creed is damaged goods. He watched his best friend and fellow operative die a horrible death and he could do nothing to stop it. He is back home and his assignment is to stake out and apprehend a suspected arms trafficker. But, this bad ass has a really shapely ass and is really good at evasion. She has to be with the number of people who want her dead on her tail.
Cody only wanted to get to know the father she never knew. After breaking up with her fiancée, she goes to Prague and her dear loving father has left her with the map to a nuclear warhead leftover from the old USSR. Daddy dearest also set her up with some real bad dudes who want said warhead to sell to the highest bidder.
August 30, 2008
The Steele Street series continues. This is an unbelievably macho world of fast cars, healthy and deadly men, fantasy urban lofts, determined heroines, and good sex scenes. The series features a ripping fun fast pace and intriguing if sterotypical heroes and heroines.
The demons of these heroes and heroines are unique, especially the heroines. They are headstrong in their determination to ignore the hero's protection and proceed headlong into danger to achieve their goals. The heroine's predicament and methods of getting herself into trouble are unique.
The best romantic suspense has to offer? no. Great escapism? Absolutely! That's why Crazy Kisses, the next intallment of the series has been checked out from the library and awaits my reading pleasure.
The demons of these heroes and heroines are unique, especially the heroines. They are headstrong in their determination to ignore the hero's protection and proceed headlong into danger to achieve their goals. The heroine's predicament and methods of getting herself into trouble are unique.
The best romantic suspense has to offer? no. Great escapism? Absolutely! That's why Crazy Kisses, the next intallment of the series has been checked out from the library and awaits my reading pleasure.
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