The Pilot

Elite Six #1

by Kelly Moore

She can outfight any man. He’s used to being top dog. Will lurking danger cut their sparring short before they tumble into a happy ending?

Avery Quinn would rather KO a guy than kiss him. After losing her emotionally distant husband, the skilled hand-to-hand combat instructor stays laser-focused on her career training military recruits. So when a handsome flier asks her out, she quickly shoots him down… only to see his face in her next class of students.

Navy pilot Nick Justice enjoys playing the field. But although he’d love to be the teacher’s pet, his regular moves fail to sweep his tough-as-nails tutor off her feet. And though he hates being treated like a novice, he refuses to quit the program and lose the strong woman who’s captured his heart.

Charmed despite her best judgment, a cautious Avery begins to bond with the talented airman. But when a deadly mission goes awry, Nick realizes that letting her go might be the only way to prove his passion.

Will their constant skirmishes leave them bruised… or locked forever in each other’s embrace?

The Pilot is the pulse-pounding first book in the Elite Six Series of romantic suspense novels. If you like independent heroines, fast-paced action, and smoldering angst, then you’ll adore Kelly Moore’s black-belted adventure.

Genres: Contemporary

ebook

Published April 28, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Armed with books in the crook of my elbow, I can go anywhere. That’s my philosophy! Better yet, I’ll write the books that will take me on an adventure.

My heroes are a bit broken but will make you swoon. My heroines are their own kick-ass characters armed with humor and a plethora of sarcasm.

If I’m not tucked away in my writing den, with coffee firmly gripped in hand, you can find me with a book propped on my pillow, a pit bull lying across my legs, a Lab on the floor next to me, and two kittens running amuck.

My current adventure has me living in Idaho with my own gray-bearded hero, who’s put up with my shenanigans for over thirty years, and he doesn’t mind all my book boyfriends.
If you love romance, suspense, military men, lots of action and adventure infused with emotion, tear-worthy moments, and laugh-out-loud humor, dive into my books and let the world fall away at your feet.
I love to hear from readers.
Join me at my website
www.kellymooreauthor.com

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Reviews

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - hold onto your hats - you are in for a bumpy ride. With edge of your seat tension, beautifully written characters, backstories that will make the reader need a HEA and just the right amount of taboo sexual attraction to make it a little messy this was an awesome start to a new series. Kelly Moore is known for her romantic cowboy stories but stepping outside of her box and bringing in a more angsty military romance proves that she is multifaceted and an author who can write about anything. Nick and Avery are going to become a fan favorite!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited about Kelly Moore's latest, The Pilot! This is the first in her new Elite Six series and it's full of strong, independent women, action, and plenty of steamy heat. Nick is a Pilot who has been chosen for an elite branch of the military and the instructors include Avery and her colleagues making up the elite six. Avery is a widow who loved her husband although she felt he loved the military more. Nick is a talented but cocky pilot who doesn't want anything to do with his program and initially acts put off at being trained by a bunch of women. Once he accepts how skilled they are and she slowly realizes he isn't as cocky as he thought, walls start to come down between these two and the sparks fly.

I love Kelly's romantic suspense novels so much! This has so many wonderful aspects about government and military, new romance, learning one's limitations, and of course strong, badass men and women. Early on, Avery appears very closed off and only interested in her job and her co-workers, just as Nick appears too in love with himself to learn something new from these women and take on this newest challenge in his career. The character development in this novel is incredible as you get to watch Avery open her heart more and more, while Nick recognizes the talent of others and truly becomes a team player.

Despite his initial cockiness, I promise you will fall in love with Nick very quickly and it takes no time at all to be cheering them on wishing for their happily ever after. Of course with Moore there is plenty of her trademark humor - just wait until the yoga class - that not only humbles Nick but gives several laugh-out0loud moments. Nick is romantic and swoon-worthy and I was dreaming the whole time about finding my own Nick in the world. Avery is the perfect example of a strong, intelligent woman who also has a soft and romantic side. Put them together, and it's magic.

The Pilot has tons of action, amazing and unique characters, and will make you starry-eyed. I highly recommend this one to romantic suspense/military fans! This is an incredible start to a new series with exceptional writing and is a page-turner from beginning to end.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the first book in the new series! I couldn’t put it down. Avery runs a team of the Elite Six which she is the head of and they are females! Avery had not been herself emotionally since her husband Grady, who was in the military, died two years ago. When the women go to a local bar where they were living in Puerto Rico. They see a hot guy checking out Avery and tell her to go for it. She just blows them off. When they all go to work on Monday to train a new group of SMA recruits, Avery comes face to face with Nick, the good looking guy from the bar! All he ever wanted to do was fly, but he passed enough tests to be put in this special unit. Needless to say he has a chip on his shoulder because he does not want to be there. Probably most men in the military would look at the six women and wonder what they could teach them. I would have loved to be there to see how shocked they were on how much they learned from the women. Avery always had a rule that you don’t get involved with the recruits so she is cold and hot towards Nick. I loved their interaction and wanted them to be together. There is also some edge of your seat action in this book. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I was so absorbed in this story that I could not put it down until the very end. It sucks you and captivates the reader. The story is about Nick and Avery. This is the stand alone read and the first story in the new "Elite Six" series. It is entertaining, fun and emotional with action, suspense, passion, compassion, action and a group of women who take charge and earn respect. I love the characters! Nick is cocky, sexy, a hero and man with a huge heart and soft spot for Avery. Avery is a women who has loved and lost. She does not ever want to feel that kind of pain again. There is one determined dog, along with her partners, that cannot help but bring these two together. I loved every bit of this read! I cannot wait for the next one. It looks like Nick's buddy maybe the next read.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout

The Pilot is book 1 in the new series Elite Six by Kelly Moore and OMG hooked from the first page!!

Back story of 6 women, former military, formed a partnership and company to train the best of the best for a secret military operation. First up is Avery and Nick!

Friendships, heartaches, trust, romance, life changes, secret missions, rescues and so much more! If you haven’t read Ms. Moore before you are totally missing out on some of the best books you will ever read! Whiskey River Road, Fated Lives are just a few of her amazing series that grab you on page 1 and holds you hostage til the end!!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/4/2022)! 🎁

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers, you’re going to love this new series from Kelly Moore! This book features Avery and Nick and you will love their banter and their chemistry. Avery is the leader of an elite group of women, who are the best at what they do. They train the candidates for the SMA, Secret Military Agency. Avery, Rain, Bryn, Harper, Mia, and Faith may be coworkers, but they’re also friends. Nick first notices Avery at Uma’s Restaurant. He always has a new woman with him and Avery has noticed this. Avery is still grieving the death of her husband, Grady, and doesn’t want a new man. Nick is one of the new recruits they’ll be training, so Avery won’t be mixing business and pleasure, no matter how attracted she is to him. Nick can’t believe that six women can train him. Boy, is he in for a surprise. This book will have you reading way past your bedtime. If you enjoy a suspenseful read that includes wonderful characters, sexy times, friendships, and overall fantastic writing, then you definitely need to grab this book. No spoilers, but I will say I loved the start of this new series and I’m already looking forward to book two, Owen and Rain’s story.

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

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series of bad a** women who kick but and ask questions later. Avery is part of an elite training team, one of six women who can go head to head with anyone. Their next group of trainees are about to start and when the one man, Nick, enters their class, she’s shocked to see the man who has been eyeing and flirting with her for weeks. She has rules, no fraternization with the trainees, but Nick makes it difficult for her to adhere to her rule. The training is a long 12 weeks and once all done, Nick goes off on assignment….will he come back for her.
A good read with steam, some suspense and action and great characters all around. Nick was a coc** egotistical man and I wasn’t too keen on all his dating and then flirting with Avery while out with another woman, gave me pause to his character but behind that facade, there was more to him. Avery was hot and cold for most of the book and she had her reasons. I did like the way the women all jumped into the action, not just talking the talk but actually walking the walk and proving their abilities.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Tara Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a little of everything. Friendship, loyalty, grief, action, suspense and love. Nick is called on to go to a secret military training program. Once there, he cannot discuss anything about the job. He is the best of the best. Avery is one of the women training the recruits and the one woman he wants.

While training, they forge a weird friendship, where they both want more but she is afraid to move forward. He is patient and kind, and he soon realizes that maybe she was right by keeping him at arm’s length. The connection they have, even before meeting, is kismet.

When a mission goes wrong, will everything they might have been able to have be gone? Will this mission make one or both of them realize how they really feel? I honestly can’t wait for more in this series.

I highly recommend this book. I am leaving an honest, voluntary review. Thank you BookSprout for the ARC.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 strong women tasked with training select men for a secret, military group. I love the way these women are portrayed as strong, capable women but also ones that have a playful side as well. In this first book of this new series, we meet Avery who put together the "Elite 6" group and two years after the death of her husband is still mourning his loss. Nick was surprised to find he has a new assignment that he can't really refuse to accept. Prior to reporting to his new assignment, he spots Avery and instantly feels things for her he can't explain. Well, when fate intervenes, their "destined connection" is revealed but can the demands of their job allow for a HEA? We also get glimpses of the "couple" that will be featured in Book 2 and I am already jumping at the bit to get ahold of this upcoming book.

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

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader review.
Nick and Avery are explosive from almost the beginning! The funny start to their relationship is a giggle-fest and then when they are thrown together in the SMA training things heat up.

Avery and her team are all badass women with a mission to train elite members of a secret military team and Nick finds himself pushed like never before. When hearts get involved there is a painful reminder for Avery of why she, a military widow, vowed to stay professional in all things.

This is the beginning of an exciting new series from Kelly Moore. If you have read her fated Lives series then you know that she can bring it with gusto!

I am looking forward to the rest of this series where men will be brought to their knees and the women will find their softer sides tested by dangers.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a brilliant book. 6 highly skilled women running a training centre for military ops personnel specially selected to join an elite unit if they can pass the training. Avery teaches the hand to hand combat and yoga. She lost her husband 2 years ago and has vowed to never take second place in a man’s life to his job or anything else. She is quite happy alone with the military dog her late husband left behind. Nick is a pilot offered the opportunity to join the training program which will take him away from flying. Fate seems to have brought Nick and Avery together but there are multiple obstacles in the way some of their own making and some linked to circumstances. A fast paced action packed book full of sadness, loss, friendship, humour, love, romance and an awesome dog. Great start to a new series, loved it.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pilot~ Elite Six #1 by Kelly Moore.
An exceptional book to start a brand new series.Kelly draws the reader in on the very first page.Her writing is exceptional, the characters are strong and the plot is outstanding.
The Elite Six are specially trained women, who train military for a specilal unit. Each book will be about one of them.
'The Pilot' is Avery and Nick's story, of course him being the pilot in the navy, being called in for training.Can Avery & Nick find their own HEA? Or will they just be trainer and student?
This book deserves more than words from me, please purchase the book and follow this new series, I know it's going to be fantastic.
Thank you, Kelly, for another fantastic book, good luck with this new series. I am looking forward to reading the rest:)

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and her team teach elite military personnel the necessary skills they need to survive under difficult and dangerous situations. When she meets Nick, one of her new recruits, she has mixed feelings as not only is he arrogant, but he is the first man to make her feel since her husband passed away.

Nick has always wanted to be a pilot so when he is chosen for this new position, he isn’t sure it is something he wants. The one thing he does know is that he wants Avery and now he just needs to convince her to let him past the walls she has built around herself especially given her past when it comes to military men.

The suspense keeps you on edge as these two fearless characters prove that they are exactly what the other needs in their lives.

[Lisa Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new series by Kelly Moore. This is book 1. Nick is a military pilot who gets ordered to attend a special training ops. He is not happy about going.
Avery runs the Elite Six agency. She is still grieving her husband's . Nick n Avery meet at her favorite pub while she is out with her girls. Their chemistry is off the charts.
This story is one of healing and finding love againfor Avery. When Nick goes on a mission that goes wrong, Avery has to do some soul searching.
Jag the dog's story is interconnected with Nick.
Loved the characters and story line.
This series is going to be so good. Highly recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Avery decides to never fall in love again until she meets Nick. Avery trains military recruits and Nick is taking one of her courses. Nick is instantly attracted to Avery right away but it takes a while to break through Avery's wall of never falling in love again. This is a well written, romantic suspense with believable characters, angst, crazy fun banter, and a page turning storyline that held my attention from beginning to end. The Pilot is book one in the Elite Six series and I can't wait to read the rest of this fantastic series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this new series. I tore thru this book in one day- almost in one sitting. The author did an amazing job of introducing and developing not only the 2 main characters but also the supporting characters. I found my self wanting to read more and more about these phenomenal six women who lead this training program and their recruits! This first book about Avery the program’s leader and the perpetual bachelor navy pilot was an excellent start. She lost her husband and isn’t willing to give herself to man again and he just doesn’t do commitments. I liked reading the push and pull between the two and all the tension that kept building. It’s a must read!

[Pamela Lunder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am truly going to love this series! Avery has been so lonely and heartbroken after her husband died! She doesn't want to fall in love again just to lose it all over. Nick falls for Avery before he meets her. These two together, wow! The chemistry between them is so hot. This book was so so so so good! Kelly Moore has a way of bringing you into the story and keeping you hooked until the last page! I loved getting to know all six girls but really can't wait for Faith's story. Can't not wait for more!.

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

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery leads a school of elite military training and is heavily turned off from dating men after the death of her husband a couple of years ago.

Nick is a military pilot who is in town to take the training course that Avery and her team teach and he is beyond attracted to her.

When back and forth name calling begins to turn into attraction, will Avery let down her guard and let Nick in?

Suspense, high intensity situations, spice and a HEA await.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and Nick's Story . . .

Avery Quinn’s husband had died, and she is determined to not fall in love again and go through all of this. She is training military recruits in hand-to-hand combat, and she is truly an expert. When Navy pilot Nick Justice asks her out, she immediately turns him down. The two of them have their back-and-forth bantering, but eventually the attraction gets the attention of both of them. Will he persist until he wins the lady? Or will Avery refuse to give in to her feelings?

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Elite Six series and it is terrific. I’ve been with this author since she started and I’ve never been disappointed. Kelly takes time and pays attention. All her books are complicated and surprising, but also compelling and captivating. These stories grab you and keep you up til the wee hours. This story is about Avery, a hand to hand combat instructor and Nick who’s a Navy pilot. It’s a fantastic story andmi can not wait for the next.

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

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first episode of the new Elite Six series. This new series is so engrossing with marvelous characters. Nick is a jet fighter pilot who has been selected to become a secret agent. He's not happy, all he ever wanted was to fly. Avery is part of the Elite Six, an all-female team of experts in various military techniques who train recruits. Although the concept and some situations were a bit unrealistic, at least to me, the overall story is exceptional and held me rapt from beginning to end. And the romance and love scenes.....oh my!! Great read and I'm chomping on the bit for more!

[Amanda Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an action packed and romantic read! I could envision this one so clearly and it was a ton of fun to read. My only complaint is I wish we got to see more of the Elite Six in action because the jungle mission was so cool!
I love that Avery got a second chance at love again. I completely understood her hesitation in letting herself fall for Nick; yes it would have been the same situation as with Grady but she had to take into account that they are different people. And Nick definitely prioritized her more.

I read this one for the indie book club I co-run and it was a great pick!

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is a fantastic start to a great series. Avery is an instructor who along with several other women train elite military me. To survive on their own in perilous situations. She is strong and does not take anything from anyone. Drake is in one of Averys classes. He met her prior to the class and was intrigued by her. Will he be able to crack this tough cookie?.

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

[Mary Mutisya-Astin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Elite Six!

Avery is still grieving from the loss of her husband but living and breathing the military lifestyle is all she knows to do. So she vows never to give her heart to anyone else. That is until arrogant Pilot Nick keeps accidentally bumping into her everywhere including her work and she soon finds he is a hard one to resist.

But one mission is about to change everything.

Everything about this story was brilliant! I love the Elite Six and how strong and like minded they all are. Bring on the next one!

I read this book voluntarily for an honest review.

[Karina Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such a good story! Could not stop reading it! Woke up at 8am...and still with my ipad, in bed! ( luckily is holiday in here)
Good characters, strong back up ( waiting for the other five stories)
This is really a bookI can recommend for the readers of action- love- military stories.
Loved it! Simply loved it!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Oh my gosh that was so fantastic 10 stars of action ,romance , friendship, loyalty, and so much more .this story takes place in Isabella Puerto Rico at the SMS elite secret military agency. Where they train elite 6 teams.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery is the head of SMA/Security Military Agency who along with five other strong sexy women train for this agency. Avery lost her husband and now focuses on her job until she meets her new trainee Nick. They hit it off from the very start and their chemistry is off the charts but they are allowed to get involved with trainee's but that does not stop them.

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

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery lives for her job especially after her husband passed away two years ago so the last things she expected was how Nick one of the new recruits effected her. Nick appears to be a bit of a player at first but the more he and Avery are around each other the more you see they are both looking for the right someone and when we find out there is a link between them from years ago it makes you agree it mut be fate. There is a great mix of action, attraction, self doubt, friendships, laughter and loss along with moving forward in life that makes this a great read and leaves you wanting book two!.

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

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What dark thriller read that pulls you in from the very first words tell the very ending. This is the first of this series and I’m loving the suspense of this read.

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