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Rayna Tan #0.5
Recruited: A Covert Justice Action Thriller Novella
Recruited is the story of why twenty-six-year-old Rayna Tan chose to leave the secretive world of the elite Canadian Forces Special Operations counter-terrorism unit (JTF2) to join an even more shadowy operation, Fidelitas. She’s a fascinating character: stunningly gorgeous, IQ off the charts, a sniper in the league of Chris Kyle… Flaws? Naturally, but she’s definitely one very dangerous and very human lethal weapon.
Recruited is the opening novella in the RAYNA TAN action thriller series.
Recruited is the opening novella in the RAYNA TAN action thriller series.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
238 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Wesley Robert Lowe
40 books34 followersI write what I know and care about.
My work is infused with relentless furious action and/or paranormal charismata. Contemporary worlds infused with mysticism. Breathless, brain-twisting plots. High stakes suspense that churns the psyche.
But ultimately it is knowing and experiencing the lives of people that provide the impetus of Stories that Grip the Soul.
I've made music with Kainai First Nations, helped save Russian refugees from deportation, hung with Martial Arts Grandmasters, counseled WWII vets on their deathbeds. Not to mention deep Chinese, cultural participation,
Wesley Robert Lowe is an award-winning writer, filmmaker and composer (including four seasons on Sesame St.).
My work is infused with relentless furious action and/or paranormal charismata. Contemporary worlds infused with mysticism. Breathless, brain-twisting plots. High stakes suspense that churns the psyche.
But ultimately it is knowing and experiencing the lives of people that provide the impetus of Stories that Grip the Soul.
I've made music with Kainai First Nations, helped save Russian refugees from deportation, hung with Martial Arts Grandmasters, counseled WWII vets on their deathbeds. Not to mention deep Chinese, cultural participation,
Wesley Robert Lowe is an award-winning writer, filmmaker and composer (including four seasons on Sesame St.).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
did-not-finish
April 6, 2018Since I didn't finish this Kindle freebie, I'm not presuming to rate it, and this isn't a review as such --just a brief note explaining why I didn't finish. The first chapter, which was primarily battlefield action, was done well. In the second chapter, we moved out of that milieu, into "normal" society. That chapter had a couple of eyebrow-raising lines, but in the third chapter it really went off the rails. Protagonist Rayna made decisions that were totally out of character and inexplicable in the situation, and the dialogue in several conversations passed the point of merely "unrealistic" and went all the way to bizarre. The two action scenes in Chapters 3-5 (roughly; I deleted the novella from my KIndle app, so don't have it to refer too) are not at all believable, and the plotting makes no sense. For instance, in an age of cell phones, a public shooting in a packed nightclub could not happen without somebody calling the cops; and a malefactor who's tried to run someone down with a car doesn't decide to stop and have a conversation with her. Lowe's hint at a pro-"enhanced interrogation" (i.e., torture of prisoners) agenda didn't sit well, either. (And someone should tell the author that 18-year-old college freshmen and graduate students don't take classes together.)
This prequel novella is obviously given away for free in the hope of getting readers to buy the series novels (which are so far only available as e-books). For me, it had the opposite effect; I wouldn't accept gift copies of the latter even if they were in paper format. "Your mileage may vary." :-)
As a side note, Asian action heroines are under-represented in English-language fiction, so it's refreshing to see one here (or would be, if she starred in a better-told tale). But the apparently Caucasian woman on the cover hides that selling point under the rug.
This prequel novella is obviously given away for free in the hope of getting readers to buy the series novels (which are so far only available as e-books). For me, it had the opposite effect; I wouldn't accept gift copies of the latter even if they were in paper format. "Your mileage may vary." :-)
As a side note, Asian action heroines are under-represented in English-language fiction, so it's refreshing to see one here (or would be, if she starred in a better-told tale). But the apparently Caucasian woman on the cover hides that selling point under the rug.
January 10, 2019
I enjoyed reading "Recruited" by Wesley Robert Lowe as a short, introductory novella to the Rayna Tan Series. In book one, this 96-page story takes Rayna, a Canadian Special Forces operator on a joint mission with an American Seal Team unit; one of the leaders is killed on this missions - a friend of Rayna's - and she escorts the body home. She meets the dead man's father and is soon recruited into a top secret society that he runs called Fidelitas.
Her fiance of many years, a lead singer in the Les Miserables plays on Broadway, turns out to be someone entirely different. He, too, is a member of a different secret society who gets hooked on drugs and gambling and owes them hundreds of thousands of dollars. This results in the leader of the group issuing a contract on Mr. Tanner. While he appears on a side job in a blues bar and plans to propose to Rayna, he is suddenly murdered on the stage by an assassin and dies in her arms. Rayna is relentless in her training with Fidelistas, hoping to get an opportunity to kill the man who issued the contract on the man she loved.
Although short, but unlike many of the other series authors today, this book was complete and didn't end in a cliffhanger. The author claims in a note that all the books within the series will be stand-alone stories and be complete. For this, I applaud the author. The next two books in the series are about 300 pgs. each and I plan to read more about Rayna and her black missions in the coming weeks. Thank you, Mr. Lowe!
Her fiance of many years, a lead singer in the Les Miserables plays on Broadway, turns out to be someone entirely different. He, too, is a member of a different secret society who gets hooked on drugs and gambling and owes them hundreds of thousands of dollars. This results in the leader of the group issuing a contract on Mr. Tanner. While he appears on a side job in a blues bar and plans to propose to Rayna, he is suddenly murdered on the stage by an assassin and dies in her arms. Rayna is relentless in her training with Fidelistas, hoping to get an opportunity to kill the man who issued the contract on the man she loved.
Although short, but unlike many of the other series authors today, this book was complete and didn't end in a cliffhanger. The author claims in a note that all the books within the series will be stand-alone stories and be complete. For this, I applaud the author. The next two books in the series are about 300 pgs. each and I plan to read more about Rayna and her black missions in the coming weeks. Thank you, Mr. Lowe!
Want to read
February 2, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/2/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Recruited is the story of why twenty-six-year-old Rayna Tan chose to leave the secretive world of the elite Canadian Forces Special Operations counter-terrorism unit (JTF2) to join an even more shadowy operation, Fidelitas. She’s a fascinating character: stunningly gorgeous, IQ off the charts, a sniper in the league of Chris Kyle… Flaws? Naturally, but she’s definitely one very dangerous and very human lethal weapon.
Blurb:
Recruited is the story of why twenty-six-year-old Rayna Tan chose to leave the secretive world of the elite Canadian Forces Special Operations counter-terrorism unit (JTF2) to join an even more shadowy operation, Fidelitas. She’s a fascinating character: stunningly gorgeous, IQ off the charts, a sniper in the league of Chris Kyle… Flaws? Naturally, but she’s definitely one very dangerous and very human lethal weapon.
February 7, 2016
This book is a real page turner! Once you start reading, you'll have a hard time putting it down. Mr. Lowe has gotten it exactly right with the action in this one.
I Highly Recommend this book if you are looking for action with a strong female lead.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I Highly Recommend this book if you are looking for action with a strong female lead.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2020
Another kickass female lead who is damn good but still has a lot to learn. There were some typos but other than that it was a quick, entertaining read. As I’ve said before, I like when the bad guy gets what he deserves. I expect there will be a lot more of that in this series.
February 11, 2016
Like several others I was offered the book free, with a request for a review. Hate to be the odd guy out, but all those 5-star reviews on Amazon seem a bit high. But to each their own. I liked the story and will read further adventures of Rayna, but it just wasn't that exciting for me. The writing seemed kind of basic, nothing went too deep: either the plot or character development. But it does have promise and maybe further adventures will be better written.
If this were a movie, it would be a direct to DVD type of movie. But you know what? I like several of those. Maybe I am jaded by reading about other female action characters like Chandler written by J.A. Konrath or Beatrix Rose, written by Mark Dawson. I will hang around for the 2nd adventure and see where things stand at that time.
If this were a movie, it would be a direct to DVD type of movie. But you know what? I like several of those. Maybe I am jaded by reading about other female action characters like Chandler written by J.A. Konrath or Beatrix Rose, written by Mark Dawson. I will hang around for the 2nd adventure and see where things stand at that time.
December 2, 2016
This book is the prequel to the Rayna Tan series, and gives an insight to Rayna's background and how she came to be recruited by Fidelitas. Although only a novella it seemed crammed with action, and certainly kept my interest levels from flagging. I liked the characters in this book, and even though there didn't seem to be much character development perhaps that will come with subsequent books. I found the book to be well written, especially considering that it was such a short read. Now all that I have to do is search out, and follow, the further adventures of Rayna Tan and Fidelitas.
May 3, 2016
Not larger than life
I was kinda hoping for more of a Jane Bond type or like Maggie Q as Nikita, but so far that's not the case. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief to read about a larger than life indestructible super hero. I will definitely give this series another look because it's fairly well written and the pacing is fast. I kinda recommend it, but I'm hoping for more.
I was kinda hoping for more of a Jane Bond type or like Maggie Q as Nikita, but so far that's not the case. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief to read about a larger than life indestructible super hero. I will definitely give this series another look because it's fairly well written and the pacing is fast. I kinda recommend it, but I'm hoping for more.
July 6, 2016
The premise was good, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. There was a lot of language, some sexual references, and it was darker than I expected. The other issue is that it felt like it jumped around a lot, especially at the beginning.
February 10, 2019
Rayna Tan, born in China, adopted by Harry and Vivien Chang of Honk Kong, then moved to the US and Canada, having dual citizenship. Rayne is highly educated, a black belt in Judo, Wushu, and Tae-Kwan-do, joins the Canadian Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), where she rises to the rank of captain, and leader of an assault team. Her counterpart in the SEALS is captain Jonathan Rogers, who sacrifices his life to save others. When her boyfriend, Tanner, is gunned down by a drug gang just when she accepts his marriage proposal, she tries to disappear, but finds the gang can easily find her. She contacts Jonathan’s father, one of the guiding members of Fidelitas, an assassin group better trained than the Navy SEALS and Army Special Forces, where she goes through vigorous training before going after the Pablo Escobar drug cartel in South America.
This was a short story, prequel to the series mainly to introduce Rayna Tan and the other main players in the future series. With all her training, she seemed more like a green trainee than a professional soldier when she’s placed in training with Fidelitas, and I had a hard time visualizing her as Chinese. The author doesn’t capture that oriental mystique in Rayna Tan, and it makes her appear just as another Caucasian heroine. Recruited doesn’t give much promise for the future series unless the author can retool his main character enough to make her real to the reader.
This was a short story, prequel to the series mainly to introduce Rayna Tan and the other main players in the future series. With all her training, she seemed more like a green trainee than a professional soldier when she’s placed in training with Fidelitas, and I had a hard time visualizing her as Chinese. The author doesn’t capture that oriental mystique in Rayna Tan, and it makes her appear just as another Caucasian heroine. Recruited doesn’t give much promise for the future series unless the author can retool his main character enough to make her real to the reader.
September 5, 2017
This book starts off with a tense hostage taking by terrorists who want a huge ransom for the four US and Canadian forward air controllers return. Not going to happen. Instead, CANUS-ETF sent in a small team of combat rescuers lead by Jonathan Rogers, a Navy SEAL Captain, and Rayna Tan, a member of Canada's counterterrorism unit called Joint Task Force 2.
There was non-stop action in this book where we get a look at Rayna Tan and see what a strong, kick-ass woman she is. The story definitely kept my interest with everything going on but wasn’t so complicated that I couldn’t follow it. But Rayna was amazing. Her training with JTF2 was incredible so that she could do anything military men did but even better. Well, maybe not better but it felt like it.
I liked this thrilling story and especially liked the characters. The cover picture was eye-catching but the woman is clearly not Asian which is too bad. In this prequel to the Rayna Tan series, it gives an insight to Rayna's background and how she came to be recruited by Fidelitas. I liked the idea behind the Fidelitas group and I’m looking forward to reading more about them and Rayna.
There was non-stop action in this book where we get a look at Rayna Tan and see what a strong, kick-ass woman she is. The story definitely kept my interest with everything going on but wasn’t so complicated that I couldn’t follow it. But Rayna was amazing. Her training with JTF2 was incredible so that she could do anything military men did but even better. Well, maybe not better but it felt like it.
I liked this thrilling story and especially liked the characters. The cover picture was eye-catching but the woman is clearly not Asian which is too bad. In this prequel to the Rayna Tan series, it gives an insight to Rayna's background and how she came to be recruited by Fidelitas. I liked the idea behind the Fidelitas group and I’m looking forward to reading more about them and Rayna.
October 15, 2023
Wes Lowe https://weslowebooks.com is the author of 10 novels. Recruited was published in 2020 and is a prequel novella to his Rayna Tan series. It is the 57th book I completed reading in 2023.
I received a copy of this novella while it was being promoted by the author. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novella as R.
Rayna Tan is 26 and a member of the Canadian Special Forces. After the deaths of close friends, Tan resigns and agrees to join Fidelitas. Fidelitas is a shadowy organization whose purpose is for the greater good of mankind. They target people and organizations that exert significant negative influence. And thus, her story begins.
I enjoyed the 1+ hours I spent reading this 75-page thriller. The plot was full of action and intrigue. I thought that the story was a little rough. It needs to be fleshed out and polished some more. Instead of a prequel novella, it could have become a complete novel. I give this novella a rating of 3.7 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received a copy of this novella while it was being promoted by the author. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novella as R.
Rayna Tan is 26 and a member of the Canadian Special Forces. After the deaths of close friends, Tan resigns and agrees to join Fidelitas. Fidelitas is a shadowy organization whose purpose is for the greater good of mankind. They target people and organizations that exert significant negative influence. And thus, her story begins.
I enjoyed the 1+ hours I spent reading this 75-page thriller. The plot was full of action and intrigue. I thought that the story was a little rough. It needs to be fleshed out and polished some more. Instead of a prequel novella, it could have become a complete novel. I give this novella a rating of 3.7 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
November 19, 2017
Just 'OKAY'. There isn't anything special aside from the premise of the story. The action scenes run together with terrible choreography and don't really have any purpose or meaning aside from trying to be entertaining. The character development is also just okay. For a prequel, I expected more, both in character development and story. With a lot of work and some writing style thrown in, the author could make this a 'GOOD' series. Until then, I'm going to pass.
December 3, 2017
Wesley Robert Lowe's novella 'Recruited' is the story with a badass ex-military female as the hero. I found that she is supose to be this gorgeous fighting machine but seems to be t the wrong end of the battle most times. I think as her character developes into the secret agent she is working towards she will be very interesting to read. I did enjoy the story as I do of all Wes's books and would recommend it to anyone who likes a rough and tumble female. Makes you want to be her.
Cheers
Lynn
Cheers
Lynn
December 28, 2020
Recruited - The Rayna Tan Prequel you need to read. This novella is a great start to the new series by Wes Lowe.
It introduces Rayna Tan, provides her background with family, personal life, and her experience with the Canadian Joint Task Force. Oh, she is also one operative people shouldn't have anything to do with.
But it also sets up future books in the series as an employee with a private security organization called Fidelitas.
You can't find a better introduction to a new series.
It introduces Rayna Tan, provides her background with family, personal life, and her experience with the Canadian Joint Task Force. Oh, she is also one operative people shouldn't have anything to do with.
But it also sets up future books in the series as an employee with a private security organization called Fidelitas.
You can't find a better introduction to a new series.
May 20, 2017
This is the first book of a pretty good series.
Rayna is a tough secret ops agent (not sure if that is what you would call her). But she isn't perfect, which makes things interesting.
The action is fast-paced, and not always as you expect. I'm looking forward to the next one.
So many books...not enough time!!
Rayna is a tough secret ops agent (not sure if that is what you would call her). But she isn't perfect, which makes things interesting.
The action is fast-paced, and not always as you expect. I'm looking forward to the next one.
So many books...not enough time!!
March 26, 2018
A very disappointing beginning for a new series where the heroine is supposed to be a real bad ass. She would have died at least twice in the prequel to the series if an old man in his sixties hadn't shown up to save her ass. I may give this series one more book before I write it off as not living up to its hype...maybe. Right now it's not a book I recommend.
January 5, 2019
Not for me
The concept of the story more than anything pulled me in, but the writing felt flat, like it was forced. It didn't flow smoothly. It coyld be a great series but something is missing. Add to that this isn't really book 1 in the series. Per the author's introduction, this is a "prequel" and a rather short one at that.
The concept of the story more than anything pulled me in, but the writing felt flat, like it was forced. It didn't flow smoothly. It coyld be a great series but something is missing. Add to that this isn't really book 1 in the series. Per the author's introduction, this is a "prequel" and a rather short one at that.
October 17, 2017
Wonderful
I really enjoyed reading this story. Full of action , suspense, kick ass woman.
This story is a great read. Pulled me right In . I cannot wait to read next in series
I highly recommend reading this story.
I really enjoyed reading this story. Full of action , suspense, kick ass woman.
This story is a great read. Pulled me right In . I cannot wait to read next in series
I highly recommend reading this story.
January 21, 2019
First Book in the Series
Not a bad book , story kinda short. However it was free, one of those deals to get you started for free. Then buy the rest. Not completely sold on the series guess I'll try at least the next one and see.
Not a bad book , story kinda short. However it was free, one of those deals to get you started for free. Then buy the rest. Not completely sold on the series guess I'll try at least the next one and see.
February 20, 2019
Hear starter book
Subs is in the army and her friend is killed Them her boyfriend is killed. So know she has to find a new job. And falls in to something she did not expect but is ready for. A quick read the next book should be a killer.
Subs is in the army and her friend is killed Them her boyfriend is killed. So know she has to find a new job. And falls in to something she did not expect but is ready for. A quick read the next book should be a killer.
September 23, 2020
This is the beginning of the Rayna Tan series. While there are a couple of short disjointed bits in the middle, the story is compelling and pulls you in, wanting more.
I received an ARC copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of the book in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2017
This book started off a little like many other military books. I like the turn it took and the training she is receiving.
October 17, 2017
Very good reading hard to put down ,what's next
March 3, 2018
My, but isn't she a bad-ass... And trouble never seems to have a problem finding her!!!
Can't wait to read more Rayna adventures!!!
Can't wait to read more Rayna adventures!!!
May 27, 2018
It's ok
Ok to read if you've nothing else to read. The main character is not very engaging. Started to get not annoyed with her and the story. Still finished it just.
Ok to read if you've nothing else to read. The main character is not very engaging. Started to get not annoyed with her and the story. Still finished it just.
June 14, 2018
very nice fast paced quick read. first book i read by Mr Lowe but for sure not the last
September 28, 2018
Disjointed
The story started off with promoting series, yet, from the third chapter it went on to a disjointed storyline, jumping from one scenario to the next without any structure and the ending was somewhat.
The story started off with promoting series, yet, from the third chapter it went on to a disjointed storyline, jumping from one scenario to the next without any structure and the ending was somewhat.
January 11, 2019
Excellent Book
This was an action packed adventure story. I got hooked on it quickly and could not put the book down. I highly recommend it.
This was an action packed adventure story. I got hooked on it quickly and could not put the book down. I highly recommend it.
January 27, 2019
Recruited
Very entertaining and interesting storyline about drugs, violence and the people who are determined to stop evil in it's tracks.
Very entertaining and interesting storyline about drugs, violence and the people who are determined to stop evil in it's tracks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews