Note from the author: Some years ago, a good friend of mine (who was in the same naval helicopter squadron as my husband) suffered through a horrific helicopter crash. This book depicts some of the real events of that accident. Please be forewarned that, although the story is ultimately one of triumph, it is heart-wrenching in spots.
Compelled to join an operation by an admiral with a personal agenda, Lieutenant Kyle “Mikey” Hammond finds himself thrust into the harsh desert terrain of northern Pakistan. Four American engineers have been kidnapped, and Kyle is tasked to work with Samantha, a civilian authority on Pakistan, whose expertise in terrorist negotiations is the hostages’ only hope. However, this is just one part of Kyle’s assignment. He’s also operating off a set of top-secret orders that could ruin his military career.
From the outset, Samantha’s negotiations with the terrorists walk the sharp edge between life and death. But she is an expert at such shrewd tactics…tactics that soon begin to mirror her personal dealings with the enigmatic Navy lieutenant. Determined to unearth the true Kyle, Samantha engages in a cat-and-mouse game with him that ends up peeling away some of her own carefully concealed layers. Once both their masks are lowered, love blossoms between them. But when the daring hostage rescue finally gets underway, a horrifying accident nearly shatters everything they’ve worked to attain. Their survival will hinge on the strength of their love…and if the man she’s certain can save the day will become the hero he’s convinced he’s not.
Content warning: contains profanity and adult situations.
Tracy Tappan is a bestselling and award-winning author and the creator of the Choose A Hero Romance™ reading experience, a brand-new concept in storytelling where the reader controls the ending. You can find out more about this exciting new trend at www.chooseahero.com.
Tracy’s books in paranormal and military romance have earned both bronze and gold medals in the Readers’ Favorite contests, have finaled for the USA Book News and Kindle Book Awards, and won both the HOLT Medallion and the Independent Publishers Book Award (IPPY) bronze medal for romance.
Tracy holds a master’s degree in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling (MFCC), loves to play tennis, enjoys a great glass of wine, and talks to her Labrador like he’s a human (admittedly, the wine drinking and the dog talking probably go together).
A native of San Diego, Tracy is married to a former Navy helicopter pilot, who retired after thirty years of service and joined the diplomatic corps. He and Tracy currently live in Rome, Italy.
Visit her website and join the gang on her monthly newsletter for giveaways, publication updates, and other fun and sexy news. www.tracytappan.com.
Kyle Hammond was a one night stand kind of guy. Just before he deployed again, he connected with a woman he saw in the hotel bar. The next day, he was given his next mission, to find four diplomats who were being held in Pakistan. He was going to accompany the reporter that the rebels requested as the cameraman. The reporter's name was Max Dougin. But when the reporter arrived aboard the ship, he was face to face with the woman he had sex with the night before. She acted like this was the first time they met, and he did the same. Very little went as planned. They suspected that they had informants in the camp. But as Kyle and Max worked together, they became friends and then lovers. Kyle was discovering what real love felt like. It really did make everything better. When the final leg of the mission went badly, they were separated and went to different hospitals for treatment. They lost contact and phones. When Kyle finally left the hospital, he told LZ he was looking for Samantha Dougin. LZ's fiance offered to look her up on her law enforcement computer. He showed up at her door. She was so afraid he had died. He asked her to marry him. She said yes. When he faced a trauma that he blamed himself for, he tried to run from Samantha too like he had with every other woman he had been involved with. But she told him he was the best thing that ever happened to her and she would never leave him. This is a story of two people who deserve love but never believed it. But together, they find that they are a unit that is unbreakable. This is a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Once again, Tracy Tappan, has penned a tale filled with heart pounding, hard hitting action and sizzling romance. What a ride! We met Kyle "Mikey" Hammond in Beyond The Call of Duty as part of Eric "LZ" O'Dwyer's helo team. Not only is he a pilot but he's also a sniper., a skill that serves him well on his new assignment; guarding a reporter. Samantha "Max" Dougin has a well earned reputation for getting the near impossible story. She's the one extrenists are willing to talk to. If ever two people were well suited to one another it's Kyle and Max. The both come with a boatload of emotional damage. Her take no prisoners attitude should have been off putting but it draws in Kyle like a moth to a flame. Their shared experiences during their dangerous mission draws them closer together and breaks down the walls they've both built around themselves. Be prepared for some tense and suspenseful moments where Ms Tappan leaves you guessing about what happens next.
Wings of Gold Book 1, Beyond the Call of Duty, was so good, I thought, why not try Book 2? I was not disappointed! Allied Operations will keep you on the edge of your seat. Be prepared, you will run a full range of emotions with this one. So worth it. By chapter 2, I was downloading Book 3 and the companion novellas. This is another must read by Tracy Tappan.
This is a love story based in a terrorist area with hostages. Samantha aka Max is a reporter who has been commissioned to negotiate the release, specifically requested by the terrorist group. Kyle is sent in with her disguised as her cameraman. While in waiting mode, Kyle and Max fall in love. To say that the last third of the story was intense is an understatement!
I’m wowed by this author! Highly recommend this especially if you enjoy stories with hot Military/Naval men!
Excellent and realistic romantic suspense. The characters are wonderful and interesting as well as entertaining. Kyle is a talented helicopter pilot that has dealt with hardships in his life. Max is a reporter that helps with rescues and prisoner exchanges. They’re sent to Pakistan but there is more going on than they were told. Readers are faced with numerous emotions while reading this page turner book. I look forward to reading more books by Ms Tappan.
No spoilers, but dam#, that was touch and go. Huge swings from joy to despair. Language (Mil Ops) seems accurate to me, having worked with many former Pilots, SARs/PJs, Mechs, Gunners, etc. Also, the avoidance of any real feelings until they fall hard. The author captured the sheer terror of not being in control and the tragedies that shape them.
Wow! Another great and exciting military story. So very realistic This book makes the reader experience the heart pounding situation the characters are experiencing.I couldn't put this book down until the very end!
I LOVE KYLE! I loved him in the first book and now even more. The author really knows how to catch you up in every part of the story. The characters are magnificent and the story line so good. Looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed book 2 in this series following Kyle and Max’s journey to find their HEA. I look forward to book 3 and will definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
“Allied Operations” by Tracy Tappan is part of the ‘Wings of Gold’ series and features Lieutenant Kyle (Mikey) Hammond, who has been assigned to a mission to help with hostage release negotiations with terrorists in Pakistan. Forced to work with a civilian he reluctantly finds himself attracted to, Mikey must face both physical and emotional dangers as he tries to find a way to complete his mission successfully, but things don’t always go as expected, no matter how carefully plans are laid.
One of the key elements to presenting a compelling story is the ability to create a vividly realistic story that grabs the reader and immerses him or her in the action. This author excels at providing an exciting roller coaster ride that combines danger, passion, emotionalism, and a glimpse of the crucible that hones those who serve to defend and protect. I am appreciative of the myriad of details that give only a small portion of the military experience even as I ache for the sacrifice and steep price paid by these loyal and brave men and women. The very first story in this terrific military romance series drew me in, and they have continued to enthrall me even as I am saddened by various revelations about the characters, who seem determined to prove the adage, ‘that which does not kill us makes us stronger’. Be warned, both tissues and a strong stomach will undoubtedly be required for this exciting story, as well as enough time to savor a tale that will be hard to put down. I look forward to more tales about these imperfect, yet loyal and courageous folks!
Amazingly emotional love story that will draw you in. Samantha Dougin a/k/a Max is a reporter going out on an assignment that could be her last. Kyle is a Navy Officer who has been given an assignment to escort a reporter to interview insurgents who are holding 4 US Hostages. They all thought Max was a man, and were very surprised to find a woman. Max is not just any woman, but the one Kyle hooked up with last night.
Max and Ryker head off on their mission, and while they work to complete their mission they become close and fall in love. There is a side-story in the story about a nurse name Kitty and a Navel Officer named Steve.
I went thru a wide range of emotions while reading this story - laughter, sadness, angry, crying, and then more crying. The Bonus Chapter brought tears to my eye, and joy to my heart.
I am grateful that I volunteered to review an Copy of this book.
Well......WoW........ this second book is just as great as the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this action packed story. From start to finish I was hooked, it was so hard to put this book down. The two main characters were very likeable, strong and yet vulnerable. The story line was believable and kept me interested all the way through. I got so into the book that I found myself talking to the pages and even felt the heartache and happiness. I do find the terminology a little hard but it in no way ruins the read, it has to be there. I can not recommend this book enough, it such a great read. I can't wait for the next book.
This is another awesome book by Tracy Tappan. So glad Kyle finds someone who believes in him. Sienna is nothing but an abusive woman who can't take responsibility for her own actions and doesn't want to see that people have no control over military operations. Max shows Kyle there is nothing she won't do to be there for him and make him see they help each other.
The intense emotional and physical journey both characters make and the writing style Tracy Tappan uses to deliver this story will have you reading this tale in one sitting! Definitely a "must read!"
Again this author has given a great book. The characters and story line is so real. I couldn't put this book down. At times, I felt the fear and almost like I was there and watching. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Love, love, love this series. Her heroes are real men, with flaws, who can be incredibly obnoxious but obviously because they have a reason. I have a new firm favourite author who is now an automatic download!! A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed!!