Marked Man

Second Skin #5

by Ophelia Bell

They say love is a battlefield…

My family’s ties to a certain set of crime lords are more tangled and volatile than the wires in an IED. They’ve called on me to disarm a situation ready to explode, but in spite of all my training, I’m not sure any of us are getting out of this unscathed.

That’s especially true when I find out the black-ops mission I’ve signed up for is commanded by none other than Sadie Watts, the girl who left me in the dust so many years ago I should be over it. But I’m not, and seeing her again, especially in such close quarters, is a distraction I can’t afford.

I know what I’m out here fighting for—my brothers; my sister; the USA—but as we close in on our target, I start to wonder if it’s not her I’m fighting for too.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2021

About the author

Ophelia Bell is the author of the super steamy Sleeping Dragons series. Ophelia loves hot alpha heroes, especially if they’re dragons, but believes the world needs more alpha heroines, so has made it her mission to make that happen. Ophelia grew up on a rural farm in North Carolina and now lives in Los Angeles with her sexy tattooed alpha husband and five-and-a-half attention-whoring cats (one of them is exceptionally large and might actually be a dragon in disguise).

Reviews

[Cécile Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can this already be the last one of the series? I don’t want it to end!!
Because the Santos family has gotten under my skin,burrowed deep into my heart,and i want them to stay there!!
Ophelia Bell was so very generous,giving me all of their stories,and only asking for an honest review in return.

Marco has made mistakes in his life,but the one that he made with the girlfriend of his ex-best friend is the one that keeps him second-guessing himself.
Knowing his brothers,ánd his baby sister!, are having multiple lovers,doesn’t make it any easier….
His SEAL buddy Jake is much more relaxed in what he wants….and that’s who-ever he likes.
Sadie,his female buddy from EOD,is into women….right?
Fact is,they lost sight of her when she ghosted them during SEAL training,and haven’t seen her since.
Until Marco and Jake quit the SEALS to join the team tasked with taking down Amador…. Finding out exactly what they’re supposed to do takes a little time for Marco to accept. Getting hot and heavy with Sadie is one thing,but adding Jake to the mix?
Even knowing he’s into him? Funny thing is,though…thinking about it makes him want it.
And once he allows himself to give into his desires,it gets easier,só much easier.
Finding what Amador’s interested in,adding him to the mix,isn’t as difficult as he thought it would be.
The man is not what they thought he was,in fact he turns out to be a target they’re not sure they want to take down anymore.
But the real enemy is still out there,and he’s determined to get what he wants,in any way he can….

Sadie always considered herself gay and Kat was her girl,but if she wasn’t, Marco would be the man she’d want.
Leaving SEAL training was tough,but the reason why broke her heart.
Meeting up with Marco and Jake years later,even with the reason why,felt like a second chance to make thing right.
Catching up with Marco felt natural,and sharing their painful pasts cleared the air between them in more ways than one.
Convincing him to add Jake to the mix wasn’t as difficult as she expected, and the three of them quickly found a dynamic that worked.
Adding Amador to the mix,once he took the bait,had unexpected consequences.
But with the real enemy putting his plans in motion,things went bad quick!
Would they be able to beat him at his own game,or was this the end of the road?

This really was the grand finale,and everything fell into place the way i was hoping it would.
But not before i was put through the wringer with everything that went wrong.
Even though they all did their best to get me hot and bothered when they got véry close and personal…
I loved seeing the other family members coming to their aid when they needed them the most.
And i really love who everyone ended up with….even if it means saying goodbye.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ophelia Bell has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Sadie and Marco. Sadie and Marco are in the same unit and she is just one of the boys. She wants to become a Seal finally gets word that she can. There are only a few weeks left in training and she drops out and out of his life. Six years later, she sees Marco and Jake again. They are going on a mission together. It will take a lot to this mission done, Things happen and the three of them get together to make sure the mission is a success. When they meet their target, things get more complicated. After getting to Amador, they start to like him. The four of them are a little kinky and they all get together. At first, this upset Marco with sharing Sadie but seeing how happy it makes her he goes along with it. Amador's compound is attacked and this is when Sadie, Marco, and Jake tell him who they are and why they are there. Amador is called and told that if he doesn't do what Delgado wants then a bomb will go off every hour until the compound is destroyed. Marco can disarm a bomb and he tells Amardo to give him six of his most trusted men and they go to find the bombs. Once found, Marco will disarm them right there. Amador is told the man he has held captive can help him in ways he can't think of. The man they are talking about is Sadie's father, Captain Ben Watts. Amador realized that they were all part of a team to take him down. Now there is another person to take down. Things get more complicated when Delgado has Sadie taken. This sets off a set of events that Delgado did not expect or the trouble it caused for him. There is another person in with Delgado and that is Jovan. Both men know Amador and they want him gone. What they don't know is that they took Sadie and her men and a bunch of others are coming after them, When things are over and Delgado and Jovan are caught, they are taken into custody and held for Amador to do what he wants to do with them. In this sense, Amador is not a nice man. After things are over, Sadie, Marco, Jake, and Amador find out there is a hit put out on the four of them and they need to get out of the country and go hide. Sadie, Marco, and Jake go to Kat's to hide. Sadie and Kat have a special relationship and now since Sadie is with Marco, she is worried about it. Once in Key West at Kat's house, things happen between the four of them. They stay with Kat until word comes down that the hit on them is taken care of and they can leave Kat's home.
Will things work out between Sadie and Marco?
this was an interesting book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 final book in Second Skin series by Ophelia Bell.
This is Marco Santos story and last book in series.
This book has a lot of aspects to it with Marco, Jake and Sadie and how it develops but then changes a lot especially after meeting the target?
Marco and Jake take on a mission thinking it’s black ops where they come across Sadie again and it turns out she is the boss she doesn’t explain much about why she disappeared except that she now isn’t into men. A lot happens between many of the characters in this book people get introduced into relationship that’s already developed not sure how happy I was of it but Sadie did seem to work in the end and wrap everything up really well it’s sad that the service has ended but I can see how you carry on when each book is about a family member and you don’t want to string on too much money is already really great series highly recommend anything to do with Ophelia Bell she’s a fantastic writer in many genres contemporary shifter especially dragons definite looking for more by this writer

[Bridgett Goodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors is Ophelia Bell. Her series Second Skin series is just so hot. Every charter in her stories are written fabulously. I'm wasn't a mafia fan in romance, but Lady Bell has changed my love of mafia men and women. This book is raw and delicious and I couldn't put it down. The undeniable energy between the main characters (Marco and Sadie) is spicy with love. Loved the story from start to finish. The story pulls you in with a real real rollercoaster ride of danger and mystery. I highly recommend reading this story. Reading the series in order will help you understand the journey and story of these characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vonn Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chemistry was hot and they were cute together! Add in Jake and even Amador to make them complete. I know that adding Kat at the end was to come full circle for Sadie, but it was too fast and skipped weeks. That’s my only negative point for this book.

I also took some notes in case I ever get kidnapped #DamnRocket

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite an intense read but it's the finale and everything had to be brought together ;) That being said, you know you can definitely expect to find good drama, lots of action and plenty of steam while the author pulls out all your emotions to make for a total page turner. Good fun!

[cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

spicy read

[Bookworm Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Marco Santos' story. An active SEAL he works hard alongside his two best friends and teammates, Jake and Sadie. Having finished their IED training they decide they will all enlist in BUDS training. However Sadie taps out and disappears. Years later, Jake and Marco are asked to join a taskforce to take down Amador. When they join the team they find Sadie, who is now their boss. Despite Sadie insisting she prefers women it is obvious that both Marco and she are attracted to each other. When things finally start to happen between them, Jake is the first to comment - not before time. The trio are tasked with getting close to Amador so that he can be arrested and taken back to America to be tried for his crimes. But the plans do not go as expected. However they manage to salvage the operation. But as things progress they are surprised to learn that Amador is not the evil man they thought he was and there are some hot, steamy times between the four of them, which complicates things. The Delgado steps up his campaign to take over Amador's business and he kidnaps Sadie. All the stops are pulled out to save her and get Delgado. Old enemies join forces to help in Sadie's rescue and Amador now being on the 'right' side of the law and working with the 'good guys'. But after the takedown there is now a price on their heads so they go to stay with Sadie's past lover Kat where we get some more hot steamy bedroom scenes. This is a well written complex story with unexpected twists and turns. Fast paced and exciting and I couldn't put it down, this was a fantastic book.
I received a free copy via Booksprout and I voluntarily leave this honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marco is a man on a mission that he volunteered for to help keep his family safe from the men that have been wreaking havoc with his brothers for several years. He is a Navy SEAL that is ready to put an end to the torment and danger that his family is worried about. He’s volunteered to help the authorities take down the Amador cartel in Mexico, but could their intel be all wrong? Could the man they are looking to take down be someone they other than who they think he is? When Marco and his team get close to Vincente Amador his thoughts start to change, but he’s determined to complete his mission, that is until everything changes.

I loved it!! Full of action, suspense, danger, and tough characters. I loved every page of this book. I think it might be my second favorite, with The Devil’s Daughter still being my favorite. These books take steam and sexiness to the next extreme. I love the characters in this book as well as in the series. Ophelia Bell knows how to write a story with steamy pages, action around every corner, and sexy characters. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I give this book a 5-star review.

[Joe Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious ending to an amazing series.
This is a beautiful tale of love finding it's way in the most surreal of locations.
This book starts with Marco and Sadie's backstory, then jumps five years to the present day. This detail adds so much depth and understanding of the characters, I loved it.
Jump forward and Marco is on a mission, take down the man who has done so much hurt to his family. When he runs into Sadie hidden feelings come to the fore.
The mission takes a turn and they all find out a lot about who they are and what they need. Lots of hot and heated detail follows.
This book wraps up the series, with lots of twists and turns. Unexpected highlights and an abundance of closure for all the characters of this series.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and highly recommend it. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jet Boston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I love all of the books by Ophelia Bell, and I was excited to read the next in this series. As always, I was loving the characters and the background story; however, this time, the back story was even more enthralling and intense than usual, and I was loving it even more. I adore Sadie and Marco as characters and their deep backgrounds. Their relationship perspective later mirrors my own in a way, and I adore that connection that I could make with this book. I believe that I will be reading this one again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the series and WOW is that an ending. This book and the whole series have some of the most amazing characters I have ever read. The Santos family always brings the unexpected. This story follows Marco but also brings us some new ones. Jake and Sadie are part of his team. They have taken out bombs and even did SEAL training together. Then we really get to know one man that has been the bad guy of the previous stories, Amador. New revelations and some unique twists will keep you guessing what will happen. This book is filled with action and danger. It also has lots of extreme hotness that includes m/m, f/f and m/fm.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters and a multi plot story line. The author does a fantastic job developing this story and moving it fluidly with her detailed and descriptive writing. She pulled men in with all the drama and action and kept me glued to the pages with all the twists and turns along the way. Add in the heat and romance and you have a terrific story! Loved and recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this series and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a romance story filled with daring intrigue and untold danger! This final book in the series kept me reading far into the night—I just couldn’t put it down. There’s so much intrigue and surprisingly unexpected events that I was kept guessing to the very end. The twists and turns are unbelievable. One thing for sure is that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to eat popcorn ever again without thinking of this book !! I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great end to an awesome series. Marked Man is an exciting read because it comes to answer and conclude all the open ends that has been rolling through the other books. I absolutely love the characters that Ophelia Bell has created for this series, they are so well developed that I have grown to know them really well through reading their stories. I love when an author can suck me in from the very beginning and I feel that this series did that really well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcos and Sadie's mission throws them back together after she dropped out of his life six years ago. Now they have to work together, whether they like it or not. There is still intense chemistry between them. This book has great action, drama, steam, twists, and surprises. The book is fast paced and the characters well written. This could be read as a standalone, but what a great ending to a solid series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Marco and his best friend went into seal training they were like the 3 muscateers with Sadie. Until she just disappeared from the seals. A few yrs later they all found each other again 4 the op but there was a few twists involved that nobody expected but it turned out 2 b a unique meeting and a major payback 4 all the hell that has been going on 4 yrs now. I think after everything they all been through it was worth it in the end. It was a major climax 2 get 2 this point from all the books leading up 2 this 1.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel transported back to the 60's and free love! Coming from a military family and being a die hard romantic, I really appreciated the storyline. There isn't a lot I can comment on without giving something away to potential readers, but I will say that the story is fraught with drama, action, emotions, and a whole lot of sexy times. This whole series has been a treat to read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ophelia Bell has a poignant way of telling her unique stories. We are transported all over the world, and find ourselves in danger, both physically and emotionally, along with Marco, Rocket, and Jake.

There are so many amazing layers to Marco’s family story, and we experience a base level of need, as social norms are examined, stretched, and even broken. The intensity of each individual relationship, as well as the group dynamics, play across our hearts and souls.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Wow, What a Conclusion!

This story… ooh wow… this whole series has just been one amazing story after another. I stayed up WAY to late reading this story because I could not put it down. I loved the hedonism of the poly romance(s) that blossom in this story, and the action had my heart in my throat. I’m almost sad this series is over, I loved the Santos family so much, but I’m also happy I was along for the ride. And what a ride it was!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance to put things right? or an opportunity to relive one of the most terrible errors? With a multi plot story featuring Marco/Saint, Sadie/Rocket and Sinner/Jake, so many twists and insights appear. A dangerous passion, a deadly career, and a heart breaking chance at a new future. Intimacy is only as revealing as what you realize.

[Michelle Fortune · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell right back in love with all of the Santos boys and their significant others. Marco is the only one not in a committed relationship and he finally finds his HEA. I loved how everything ended up in a nice bow and hope that there will be more set in this world with some of the side characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daisy&Gracie's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way the characters came together. The story had a little bit of everything-suspense, romance and angst. It seemed like there were minor plot inconsistencies, but the dramatic characters carried the day.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #5 of the Second Skin series and this is the conclusion to the series. WOW!! The characters have great chemistry, and dynamics. This book is full of intrigue, suspense, drama, romance, sexy times (mm/ mmf/ mmfm) gunfire, kidnapping, explosions and understanding. It goes full circle. I highly recommend that you read this books in order!

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marked Man

Ms. Bell has provided one he** of a read. This series continues to impress and tantalize. I suggest you have a large block of free time set aside before starting because you aren't going to want to stop for breaks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Second Skin series is a book I was not putting down until I had finished reading Sadie Watts and Marco Santos' story. These two first meet in May of 2016 and will go through so much especially Marco over the years from then. I was happy to see them get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This last book in this series „ Second Skin“is the most sexy but also the most violent one in my opinion- not my piece of cake. The story went in a totally other direction I thought it would go, I quite liked that. The ending is very nice and a great way wrap up of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Sadie/Rocket and Marco/Saint’s story and it’s a very steamy time with an interchanging array of MF, MMF, FF, FFM, MMMF…you get the idea. The story does rely a bit heavily on the bedroom activities but then again this is an OB story and that’s how they usually skew.

The beginning of the story with Sadie/Rocket, Marco/Saint and Jake/Sinner showed the easy camaraderie that they shared at their very dangerous EOD job. When your life is in another persons hands there is a special bond that forms and you get to know each other intimately even if you are not physically intimate…then again these guys get to do both.

For me the plot felt a bit loose and while there was talk of danger and we do get whiffs of it, I didn’t feel the intensity that the situation implied. There were several plot holes and times when it seemed one of the characters disappeared or seemed to have been forgotten then they reappeared.

Jake, plays a bigger role in the story than it appears from first glance, unfortunately we don’t get his POV just Sadie and Marco’s.

It has 3.5 star feel in many places, but with keeping with how I grade this would have to be a 3 star review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and it’s kind of bittersweet with this being the last book in this series. I want more, lol. These books are steamy page turners and each book got better. This book centers around Sadie and Marco, but then they add Jake to the bedroom and things really get steamy. When another is added, things heat up even more. This book also tells a beautiful story outside of the bedroom. Grab your copy and see what happens.

[reading.islife_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saint Marco

What a dish!

I feel like OB was trying to outdo herself with the drama😂😂 this story was a trip and a half! I really enjoyed the story- just some slight typos and Sade or Sadie haha but it’s all good.

Quite a few big points got wrapped up but I’m eager for one more! (Hope it happens soon). I think I expected a slightly different ending but either way I’m good! These siblings have literally been through it all!!

Glad they had a good ending👏🏾👏🏾

Defo recommend