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Under Red Sky #2
The Chief
Legendary counter-terrorism agent Natalie Chevalier is finally
retiring. The first nonbinary Regional Security Chief in DSS
history, Nat’s last post lands her on the gorgeous sapphire isle
of Sri Lanka. All she wants is a few peaceful months before she
retires, and an anonymous hookup with a gorgeous, bisexual
surfer is the perfect start. Until Nat learns that he is her final
assignment.
Alessandro Benitez travels the world buying gems, surfing, and
raising his teenage brother Max. His is a charmed, luxurious life
made possible by his position laundering money for Red Sky,
the biggest crime syndicate in Southeast Asia. When Alex meets
Nat, their scorching encounter leaves him questioning not only
his precarious career choice, but also whether his life has been
as charmed as he’d thought.
Tasked to spy on him and persuade him to defect by any means
necessary, Nat struggles to follow orders as her relationship
with Alex heats up, blurring the line between professional and
personal. She can’t deny how much she wants to be with him,
but helping him means treason and erasing her ceiling-shatter-
ing career.
While Red Sky destroys itself from within, Alex becomes
trapped in a nightmare as everyone he knows either defects or
turns up dead. His loyalty to the elusive boss of Red Sky is ab-
solute, but he’s desperate to escape before he or his brother
gets caught in the crossfire. As his world crumbles around him,
Alex realizes Nat is the only person he can trust. While Nat’s
feelings for Alex grow more complicated, the CIA’s desperate
methods to bring down Red Sky call into question everything
she once thought she stood for. Now she must expose her dirty
boss and get Alex safely out of Red Sky before her reputation
and her heart suffer the consequences.
retiring. The first nonbinary Regional Security Chief in DSS
history, Nat’s last post lands her on the gorgeous sapphire isle
of Sri Lanka. All she wants is a few peaceful months before she
retires, and an anonymous hookup with a gorgeous, bisexual
surfer is the perfect start. Until Nat learns that he is her final
assignment.
Alessandro Benitez travels the world buying gems, surfing, and
raising his teenage brother Max. His is a charmed, luxurious life
made possible by his position laundering money for Red Sky,
the biggest crime syndicate in Southeast Asia. When Alex meets
Nat, their scorching encounter leaves him questioning not only
his precarious career choice, but also whether his life has been
as charmed as he’d thought.
Tasked to spy on him and persuade him to defect by any means
necessary, Nat struggles to follow orders as her relationship
with Alex heats up, blurring the line between professional and
personal. She can’t deny how much she wants to be with him,
but helping him means treason and erasing her ceiling-shatter-
ing career.
While Red Sky destroys itself from within, Alex becomes
trapped in a nightmare as everyone he knows either defects or
turns up dead. His loyalty to the elusive boss of Red Sky is ab-
solute, but he’s desperate to escape before he or his brother
gets caught in the crossfire. As his world crumbles around him,
Alex realizes Nat is the only person he can trust. While Nat’s
feelings for Alex grow more complicated, the CIA’s desperate
methods to bring down Red Sky call into question everything
she once thought she stood for. Now she must expose her dirty
boss and get Alex safely out of Red Sky before her reputation
and her heart suffer the consequences.
ebook
First published November 30, 2021
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
J. Calamy
8 books39 followersJ Calamy is a queer disabled vet and foreign service wonk who spends a good part of the year bouncing down dirt roads in the back of Range Rovers with men with guns. Coffee, romance novels, and embassy scuttlebutt are her last remaining vices.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 28, 2021
I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be fair, I begged for this ARC because I loved The Boss so much, and I was not disappointed!
This is the story of a genderfluid character finding love in the helter-skelter world of crime and geopolitics in Sri Lanka.
WITH PEGGING.
This book makes a big point of showing queer characters supporting and accepting each other in circumstances where you wouldn’t normally expect it: military, CIA, drug cartels, and the like. It is beautiful to see, and it is a welcome escape from the discrimination and hate in the real world.
Of the 2 main characters, Alex (accountant for a crime syndicate) and Nat (The Chief, intelligence agent), I gravitated toward Nat the most. We see her struggle with her complex identity and PTSD, fully supported by Alex and most of the supporting cast. She is a stone-cold badass, but she is not afraid to show her softer side, and the relationship with Alex is beautiful in that it allows them both to fully express themselves in a supportive environment.
The descriptions of Sri Lanka are superb, and this is a big step up from The Boss, where I wished more of the local color was shown. The reader is absolutely THERE, and the author does a great job of showing the complexities of the political situation as well. The crime/suspense plotline is well done too, and winds up to a satisfying conclusion.
The writing is really funny at times; the author has a way with one-off descriptions that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.
And the spicy scenes? Six stars out of five. We get all the juicy details, masterfully rendered, and a really touching series of scenes show various consensual power dynamics with as much emotional heft as titillating spice. Don’t get me wrong—the spice is absolutely worth reading the rest of the book for, but it’s like a good hot sauce, leaving you savoring the flavor as you quaff beer after beer to cool your tongue. I mentioned that there’s a pegging scene, which is one of the most beautiful sex scenes I have ever read.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a spicy queernormative romance with a complex and satisfying crime/suspense plot.
And to readers who loved Graves, the star of The Boss, you will be rewarded with some excellent cameos that work perfectly with the rest of the story.
To be fair, I begged for this ARC because I loved The Boss so much, and I was not disappointed!
This is the story of a genderfluid character finding love in the helter-skelter world of crime and geopolitics in Sri Lanka.
WITH PEGGING.
This book makes a big point of showing queer characters supporting and accepting each other in circumstances where you wouldn’t normally expect it: military, CIA, drug cartels, and the like. It is beautiful to see, and it is a welcome escape from the discrimination and hate in the real world.
Of the 2 main characters, Alex (accountant for a crime syndicate) and Nat (The Chief, intelligence agent), I gravitated toward Nat the most. We see her struggle with her complex identity and PTSD, fully supported by Alex and most of the supporting cast. She is a stone-cold badass, but she is not afraid to show her softer side, and the relationship with Alex is beautiful in that it allows them both to fully express themselves in a supportive environment.
The descriptions of Sri Lanka are superb, and this is a big step up from The Boss, where I wished more of the local color was shown. The reader is absolutely THERE, and the author does a great job of showing the complexities of the political situation as well. The crime/suspense plotline is well done too, and winds up to a satisfying conclusion.
The writing is really funny at times; the author has a way with one-off descriptions that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.
And the spicy scenes? Six stars out of five. We get all the juicy details, masterfully rendered, and a really touching series of scenes show various consensual power dynamics with as much emotional heft as titillating spice. Don’t get me wrong—the spice is absolutely worth reading the rest of the book for, but it’s like a good hot sauce, leaving you savoring the flavor as you quaff beer after beer to cool your tongue. I mentioned that there’s a pegging scene, which is one of the most beautiful sex scenes I have ever read.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a spicy queernormative romance with a complex and satisfying crime/suspense plot.
And to readers who loved Graves, the star of The Boss, you will be rewarded with some excellent cameos that work perfectly with the rest of the story.
October 30, 2021
I loved J. Calamy’s The Boss, and The Chief is a phenomenal follow up. This book blew me away! One of my favorite romance books of the year, hands down. Action, adventure, and steaminess that had me literally fanning my face. But underneath all of that, there’s thoughtful, nuanced, and beautiful genderqueer rep. I loved this book. I would go to war for Nat. And Maths is the big, lovable softie we all need in our lives. So get your strap ons ready and BUY THIS AMAZING BOOK!!! You won’t be sorry!
December 24, 2021
4.5 stars
This thriller was action-packed and steamy!!
One of the things I love about Bookstagram is being introduced to books and authors I might not have heard of otherwise. I’m grateful not only for recommendations from friends but also from tours I’ve been fortunate to participate on.
Earlier this year I partnered with Pride Book Tours to read The Boss , by J Calamy. It was a great book, complete with action, intrigue, and lots of steamy romance. The second book in Calamy’s Under Red Sky series, The Chief , was just released and it’s another page-turner that got my pulse racing because of the suspense and the steam.
Natalie has one more assignment before she retires from her career as a counterterrorism agent. She’s posted to Sri Lanka and the beach is the perfect setting for a hot hookup with a sexy, bisexual surfer. And wouldn’t you know it? He’s her final assignment.
Alex is a money launderer for Red Sky, the behemoth crime syndicate in Southeast Asia. He wants out but he sees it as the best way to raise his younger brother, plus he’s loyal to the boss of Red Sky. But the deeper he gets in with Natalie, he’s torn about what to do.
Natalie has had a stellar career of following orders. But her connection with Alex makes her question her job for the first time, and the more she discovers what the powers that be have in store for Red Sky, the more she realizes she may have to turn her back on everything she’s held dear for someone she hopes she can trust.
I really got into this story and the steam factor is 🔥!! I definitely recommend this series if you like a mix of intrigue, crime, and hotness.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
This thriller was action-packed and steamy!!
One of the things I love about Bookstagram is being introduced to books and authors I might not have heard of otherwise. I’m grateful not only for recommendations from friends but also from tours I’ve been fortunate to participate on.
Earlier this year I partnered with Pride Book Tours to read The Boss , by J Calamy. It was a great book, complete with action, intrigue, and lots of steamy romance. The second book in Calamy’s Under Red Sky series, The Chief , was just released and it’s another page-turner that got my pulse racing because of the suspense and the steam.
Natalie has one more assignment before she retires from her career as a counterterrorism agent. She’s posted to Sri Lanka and the beach is the perfect setting for a hot hookup with a sexy, bisexual surfer. And wouldn’t you know it? He’s her final assignment.
Alex is a money launderer for Red Sky, the behemoth crime syndicate in Southeast Asia. He wants out but he sees it as the best way to raise his younger brother, plus he’s loyal to the boss of Red Sky. But the deeper he gets in with Natalie, he’s torn about what to do.
Natalie has had a stellar career of following orders. But her connection with Alex makes her question her job for the first time, and the more she discovers what the powers that be have in store for Red Sky, the more she realizes she may have to turn her back on everything she’s held dear for someone she hopes she can trust.
I really got into this story and the steam factor is 🔥!! I definitely recommend this series if you like a mix of intrigue, crime, and hotness.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
November 27, 2021
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Join in this steamy undercover ops as the the chief of no bul meets a sweet boy that maybe not just whom he claimed. Intrigued, is an understatement when reading this as both Alex and Natalie fit each other's needs in so many ways.
Taking leave was about to be a unexpected perk as on her mini vacation Natalie takes a calculated risk, a little fun with a stranger..right? Only is Raul the harmless man he presented himself as, after all the man is a fantasy come true. Counting down her days from a plum assignment was turning into a nightmare as Raul isn't Raul but Alessandro Benitez one of the top prized Red team members and her not so good boy.
Forces work against Alex as the whole Red Sky operatives are dropping like fly, was it his new lover Sara or was it Nat fault or was there a different player in the darker world. Can his kitten be the thing that helps saves him in the end.
Taking leave was about to be a unexpected perk as on her mini vacation Natalie takes a calculated risk, a little fun with a stranger..right? Only is Raul the harmless man he presented himself as, after all the man is a fantasy come true. Counting down her days from a plum assignment was turning into a nightmare as Raul isn't Raul but Alessandro Benitez one of the top prized Red team members and her not so good boy.
Forces work against Alex as the whole Red Sky operatives are dropping like fly, was it his new lover Sara or was it Nat fault or was there a different player in the darker world. Can his kitten be the thing that helps saves him in the end.
November 10, 2021
I understand that many reviewers automatically give 5 stars to any book they like. I, however, reserve that rating for less than 2% of the books I read. This book has met the requirements: it is absolutely fantastic.
Prior to reading this book, I would have stated emphatically that it is impossible for a spy thriller to be character-driven. I would have stated the genre just doesn't work that way. I stand corrected. This is a brilliantly-executed, character-driven, spy thriller. On top of all of that, J. Calamy has as an MC a well-depicted, bisexual, non-binary woman, Natalie, without making the story be mostly about her non-binary status. It is important, but it is not the focus of the story.
Natalie, a counter-terrorism agent, still uses female terms/pronouns, but is considering whether transitioning might be right for her after she retires from government work. She has a vacation fling with bisexual cis-man. Later, she is assigned to spy on him because he is believed to be laundering money for Red Sky (a fictitious Southeast Asian organized crime syndicate). The two MCs, who are both deeply flawed, find their respective worlds falling apart as they learn to love each other.
Trigger-warnings: this story contains extreme violence, betrayal, torture (mostly off-page), and psychological manipulation.
Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Prior to reading this book, I would have stated emphatically that it is impossible for a spy thriller to be character-driven. I would have stated the genre just doesn't work that way. I stand corrected. This is a brilliantly-executed, character-driven, spy thriller. On top of all of that, J. Calamy has as an MC a well-depicted, bisexual, non-binary woman, Natalie, without making the story be mostly about her non-binary status. It is important, but it is not the focus of the story.
Natalie, a counter-terrorism agent, still uses female terms/pronouns, but is considering whether transitioning might be right for her after she retires from government work. She has a vacation fling with bisexual cis-man. Later, she is assigned to spy on him because he is believed to be laundering money for Red Sky (a fictitious Southeast Asian organized crime syndicate). The two MCs, who are both deeply flawed, find their respective worlds falling apart as they learn to love each other.
Trigger-warnings: this story contains extreme violence, betrayal, torture (mostly off-page), and psychological manipulation.
Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for this honest review.
December 27, 2021
I loved this book!
The writing style is so easy to read, full of super well written accent dialogue that really puts you in the scene, and character interactions that made my heart sing.
Also, there were no stock characters! - every one was individual, independent, and beautifully devised.
This book deserves a world of attention and love! It’s a brilliant novel, and a series I wholeheartedly recommend!
(But check content warnings before reading!)
Summary: “A retiring nonbinary counter-terrorism agent falls for the gorgeous bisexual surfer who turns out to be her final assignment“
December 1, 2021
4.5 stars
I found so many things about this book compelling, and most compelling of all for me was the complexity and nuance of both the characters and their circumstances. There are no stark or simplistic divides between “good” and “evil,” and the people, particularly our protagonists, feel like people, with strengths, flaws, and contradictions, rather than a collection of traits or tropes (nothing against tropes, but this is not that kind of story, and that resonated with with me). In this book, actions have consequences, trust is earned (and lost), mistakes are made, and it’s easy to be drawn in to it all. Nat and Alex have a great dynamic, not just in terms of physical chemistry, although that’s definitely there, but also in the way they connect emotionally. The author’s writing style feels both vivid and insightful, and it brings both the setting and the people who inhabit it, as well as the intrigue surrounding them. As a final note, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the preceding book in the series, “The Boss.”
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found so many things about this book compelling, and most compelling of all for me was the complexity and nuance of both the characters and their circumstances. There are no stark or simplistic divides between “good” and “evil,” and the people, particularly our protagonists, feel like people, with strengths, flaws, and contradictions, rather than a collection of traits or tropes (nothing against tropes, but this is not that kind of story, and that resonated with with me). In this book, actions have consequences, trust is earned (and lost), mistakes are made, and it’s easy to be drawn in to it all. Nat and Alex have a great dynamic, not just in terms of physical chemistry, although that’s definitely there, but also in the way they connect emotionally. The author’s writing style feels both vivid and insightful, and it brings both the setting and the people who inhabit it, as well as the intrigue surrounding them. As a final note, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the preceding book in the series, “The Boss.”
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2021
Great thriller!! I thoroughly enjoyed this gender-queer story of romance and intrigue involving the Military, CIA, Black OPs, International Money Laundering. This would make a great made for TV Movie.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy.
December 2, 2021
I love this writer. Memorable characters, excellent writing and plotting. I want ALL the Red Sky stories! Just a joy to read.
December 10, 2021
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Natalie Chevalier is shortly retiring after an illustrious career in counter-terrorism. Nat is the first nonbinary Regional Security Chief and has been given an extravagant last post in Sri Lanka. After a short holiday (under a pseudonym) which included a hook up with a stunning bisexual man who looked like an Adonis in swim gear, she returns to receive her last assignment. She must infiltrate Alessandro (Alex) Benitez, precious gems dealer for the infamous Red Sky cartel and get him to defect. Alex turns out to be the same man she slept with on holiday.
When their real identities are revealed they start to question their life choices. Alex wonders whether he should cut his losses and get out and Nat finds it difficult to separate her private and professional lives. They agree to fake date for appearances but this quickly turns into a hot, sexually freeing and eventual love fuelled affair that may end Nat's boundary-pushing career and Alex's life.
As Red Sky implodes from within, Alex's life is increasingly in danger as anyone caught leaving has turned up dead. On top of this Nat uncovers her boss's dirty tactics and double-dealing which makes things even more complicated. Will Natalie successfully extract Alex out from under the boss's nose or will her actions cost her the reputation and career she fought so hard for? Can she even guarantee Alex's survival if she does?
🌟🌟🌟🌟. An intense and sexy thriller that includes espionage, intrigue and sexual exploration. There was plenty of action, military-style ops and steamy lovemaking. Alex was a strong, loving man who has been stereotyped his whole life. Nat sees past the surface and finds his hidden needs and desires. Natalie is a powerful person who knows who she is and what she wants. I loved how Alex freed her personally and sexually and that the two found a deep connection together. Some of the technical aspects were a bit heavy which slowed the pace but overall it was a compelling story that delivered an inventive plot.
TW: Violence, graphic sex.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Natalie Chevalier is shortly retiring after an illustrious career in counter-terrorism. Nat is the first nonbinary Regional Security Chief and has been given an extravagant last post in Sri Lanka. After a short holiday (under a pseudonym) which included a hook up with a stunning bisexual man who looked like an Adonis in swim gear, she returns to receive her last assignment. She must infiltrate Alessandro (Alex) Benitez, precious gems dealer for the infamous Red Sky cartel and get him to defect. Alex turns out to be the same man she slept with on holiday.
When their real identities are revealed they start to question their life choices. Alex wonders whether he should cut his losses and get out and Nat finds it difficult to separate her private and professional lives. They agree to fake date for appearances but this quickly turns into a hot, sexually freeing and eventual love fuelled affair that may end Nat's boundary-pushing career and Alex's life.
As Red Sky implodes from within, Alex's life is increasingly in danger as anyone caught leaving has turned up dead. On top of this Nat uncovers her boss's dirty tactics and double-dealing which makes things even more complicated. Will Natalie successfully extract Alex out from under the boss's nose or will her actions cost her the reputation and career she fought so hard for? Can she even guarantee Alex's survival if she does?
🌟🌟🌟🌟. An intense and sexy thriller that includes espionage, intrigue and sexual exploration. There was plenty of action, military-style ops and steamy lovemaking. Alex was a strong, loving man who has been stereotyped his whole life. Nat sees past the surface and finds his hidden needs and desires. Natalie is a powerful person who knows who she is and what she wants. I loved how Alex freed her personally and sexually and that the two found a deep connection together. Some of the technical aspects were a bit heavy which slowed the pace but overall it was a compelling story that delivered an inventive plot.
TW: Violence, graphic sex.
December 9, 2021
✨The Chief by J Calamy✨ (synopsis on second pic) 4.25
This book - wow
I’ve never read a book like this. J calamy writes the most unique stories. Literally a spy movie in book format 😍 so action packed, the world with the secret agency and the ‘mafia’ business (I don’t know what to call it but the criminals lol) was so addicting 🤩
I couldn’t put it down! It’s also had a fake dating trope and I LOVE watching characters who aren’t supposed to fall in love realise their feelings 😍
Both mcs were flawed and I LOVED how they were morally gray (we’re talking veryyy morally gray people here guys)
I loved the non binary mc and how the traditional gender roles were swapped. Seriously pick up this series rn. The ending was a little bit rushed for my liking, but it think we’re maybe getting another book with these beloved characters so it’s all good!
Genre: Action and adventure, romance, adult fiction.
This book - wow
I’ve never read a book like this. J calamy writes the most unique stories. Literally a spy movie in book format 😍 so action packed, the world with the secret agency and the ‘mafia’ business (I don’t know what to call it but the criminals lol) was so addicting 🤩
I couldn’t put it down! It’s also had a fake dating trope and I LOVE watching characters who aren’t supposed to fall in love realise their feelings 😍
Both mcs were flawed and I LOVED how they were morally gray (we’re talking veryyy morally gray people here guys)
I loved the non binary mc and how the traditional gender roles were swapped. Seriously pick up this series rn. The ending was a little bit rushed for my liking, but it think we’re maybe getting another book with these beloved characters so it’s all good!
Genre: Action and adventure, romance, adult fiction.
December 27, 2021
GIFTED | This is a super steamy spy thriller and I couldn’t put it down - I read it in one day which seems to be a rarity for me nowadays!
The story follows the first non binary Regional Security Chief in DSS history, Natalie Chevalier, who is finally retiring after a legendary career. Nat’s final post takes her to the beautiful Sri Lanka where she hopes she can enjoy herself before her retirement. Nat strikes up a relationship with a surfer who seems to be perfect - only it turns out he is her final assignment...
The writing in this book is simply exquisite and that combined with a very heavily character driven story just kept me completely hooked! I felt as though I was on edge reading this waiting to see what happened next it was just perfection and I loved it so much! I loved that you can experience the characters growth - how they fall down and pick themselves up again!
There is a lot of violence in this but if you don’t mind that I can’t recommend this enough!
The story follows the first non binary Regional Security Chief in DSS history, Natalie Chevalier, who is finally retiring after a legendary career. Nat’s final post takes her to the beautiful Sri Lanka where she hopes she can enjoy herself before her retirement. Nat strikes up a relationship with a surfer who seems to be perfect - only it turns out he is her final assignment...
The writing in this book is simply exquisite and that combined with a very heavily character driven story just kept me completely hooked! I felt as though I was on edge reading this waiting to see what happened next it was just perfection and I loved it so much! I loved that you can experience the characters growth - how they fall down and pick themselves up again!
There is a lot of violence in this but if you don’t mind that I can’t recommend this enough!
December 8, 2021
This is a fun and interesting suspenseful read that’s keeps you on your toes. I absolutely loved Nat and the love her and Alex shared was really special. There was a lot of military jargon that I was not familiar with but the author does a wonderful job of giving you context clues to fill in the meanings. The last third of the book was an exciting ride and I’m so glad I got to know such great characters like Nat and Alex!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews