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Steele Street #5
Crazy Love
Government operative Dylan Hart has survived some of the riskiest missions known to man. But no nemesis could have prepared the Special Defense Forces commander for the newest member of his team. A street-smart heartbreaker in Day-Glo pink and black leather, Skeeter Bang has been recruited to aid and abet Dylan’s latest mission: steal a top-secret file and bury it before all hell breaks loose.
Teaming up with a man who may be the last bona fide defender of the free world is a risk Skeeter’s ready to take. Until a black-tie Washington soiree erupts in a bullet-flying free-for-all. Now Skeeter’s got danger on her trail and Dylan arousing every bad-boy fantasy she ever had. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is about to plunge one man and woman right into the sizzling line of fire….
Teaming up with a man who may be the last bona fide defender of the free world is a risk Skeeter’s ready to take. Until a black-tie Washington soiree erupts in a bullet-flying free-for-all. Now Skeeter’s got danger on her trail and Dylan arousing every bad-boy fantasy she ever had. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is about to plunge one man and woman right into the sizzling line of fire….
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 27, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 25, 2008
I liked Crazy Love, and enjoyed reading it, but at the same time, it was a bit of a let down and not what I wanted it to be. Janzen has been setting up this book for a while now, and it just wasn't what I expected it to be.
The plot of the book was pretty good. It wasn't as in-your-face action oriented and danger filled as the others, but it was a good storyline. There's really a two-prong plot in a way. Part of the story is getting the top-secret file, and the other part relates to a mission gone bad that Dylan has just returned from. In actuality, they are tied together. Overall, the storyline worked and I liked it.
I will say that I wish Janzen had summarized the bad guy's previous role in the series a little better. The antagonist first appeared in book 3 I believe, which was published last fall and by the time I read this book, the details were rather fuzzy. Janzen gave brief mentions of that, but not enough to bring it all back. It would have helped if she'd summarized a little more so that the antagonist's role was a little clearer.
Another detail that bugged me a bit was that at the beginning of the book, Dylan has just returned from a mission where you learn a little later that he was captured and tortured. Yet at the beginning, nothing is noticeable that he was tortured, no obvious bruises or the like. He did have injuries that he hid under his sleeves, but nothing outright. Considering that you learn that the man who tortured him is extremely sadistic, it was a little hard to buy that he had no outward injuries for others to notice right away. I guess it's possible that he didn't, but I didn't really buy it.
Where this book really suffered, though, was Dylan and Skeeter's relationship. There's definite chemistry between them, but I think Janzen relied a little too much on her buildup from the previous books. She just sort of jumped right into their story/relationship. I would have liked a little more lead-in, a little more of bringing them together and discovering their nuances. Aside from that, there was just something missing from the relationship somewhere along the line. It seemed as though too much of their interaction was based solely on the mission they were on, and not enough on just them together, figuring things out. Then when they did have more personal interactions, Dylan was out of his mind because of some heavy duty drugs he'd been given. And then at the end, there was this jump in progression where Dylan suddenly wants to marry Skeeter. At that point, it didn't quite fit. I wasn't feeling that they were ready for that step. There hadn't been enough to cement the relationship.
In the end, I was disappointed with the progression of Dylan and Skeeter's relationship. I mean, I did like them together, couldn't wait to read their story, and they definitely had chemistry, but their relationship throughout the book was poorly explored and rather superficial. There were things I expected, things I wanted, but Janzen didn't deliver. I couldn't help but be disappointed. It didn't ruin the book, but it kept me from absolutely loving it.
I liked Janzen's setup for the next (and last) book in the series, though, with Travis and Gillian. She gave them a good base and has made me interested in what their story will be. I'm looking forward to that book, though I wish I didn't have to wait till the fall for it to be published. And I also enjoyed the cameos from Christian, Katya, Creed and Cody. It was nice to revisit characters from the other books.
All in all, a decent book that could have been better. I liked it and I'm glad I read it, but it was lacking in areas. It didn't have that eroticism that the other books have had, and Dylan and Skeeter's relationship could have been much better. Even so, I still liked it.
The plot of the book was pretty good. It wasn't as in-your-face action oriented and danger filled as the others, but it was a good storyline. There's really a two-prong plot in a way. Part of the story is getting the top-secret file, and the other part relates to a mission gone bad that Dylan has just returned from. In actuality, they are tied together. Overall, the storyline worked and I liked it.
I will say that I wish Janzen had summarized the bad guy's previous role in the series a little better. The antagonist first appeared in book 3 I believe, which was published last fall and by the time I read this book, the details were rather fuzzy. Janzen gave brief mentions of that, but not enough to bring it all back. It would have helped if she'd summarized a little more so that the antagonist's role was a little clearer.
Another detail that bugged me a bit was that at the beginning of the book, Dylan has just returned from a mission where you learn a little later that he was captured and tortured. Yet at the beginning, nothing is noticeable that he was tortured, no obvious bruises or the like. He did have injuries that he hid under his sleeves, but nothing outright. Considering that you learn that the man who tortured him is extremely sadistic, it was a little hard to buy that he had no outward injuries for others to notice right away. I guess it's possible that he didn't, but I didn't really buy it.
Where this book really suffered, though, was Dylan and Skeeter's relationship. There's definite chemistry between them, but I think Janzen relied a little too much on her buildup from the previous books. She just sort of jumped right into their story/relationship. I would have liked a little more lead-in, a little more of bringing them together and discovering their nuances. Aside from that, there was just something missing from the relationship somewhere along the line. It seemed as though too much of their interaction was based solely on the mission they were on, and not enough on just them together, figuring things out. Then when they did have more personal interactions, Dylan was out of his mind because of some heavy duty drugs he'd been given. And then at the end, there was this jump in progression where Dylan suddenly wants to marry Skeeter. At that point, it didn't quite fit. I wasn't feeling that they were ready for that step. There hadn't been enough to cement the relationship.
In the end, I was disappointed with the progression of Dylan and Skeeter's relationship. I mean, I did like them together, couldn't wait to read their story, and they definitely had chemistry, but their relationship throughout the book was poorly explored and rather superficial. There were things I expected, things I wanted, but Janzen didn't deliver. I couldn't help but be disappointed. It didn't ruin the book, but it kept me from absolutely loving it.
I liked Janzen's setup for the next (and last) book in the series, though, with Travis and Gillian. She gave them a good base and has made me interested in what their story will be. I'm looking forward to that book, though I wish I didn't have to wait till the fall for it to be published. And I also enjoyed the cameos from Christian, Katya, Creed and Cody. It was nice to revisit characters from the other books.
All in all, a decent book that could have been better. I liked it and I'm glad I read it, but it was lacking in areas. It didn't have that eroticism that the other books have had, and Dylan and Skeeter's relationship could have been much better. Even so, I still liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth book in the Steele Street series. It was fast paced, and was a very quick, enjoyable read. In this book, Dylan Hart, the lead agent for Special Defence Force, a clandestine government agency, is tasked with recovering a sensitive document from a Senator's house. Dylan has just returned from an overseas mission that went badly, and he is not functioning at his normal mental or physical level. The only operative available to be his backup is Skeeter Bangs, the girl that another agent picked up off of the Denver streets three years ago. Since that time, Skeeter has made herself valuable to the agency as a mechanic, computer tech, and office manager of sorts. Dylan is strongly opposed to letting Skeeter come along as his backup. He feels very protective towards her, and for the past year has been fighting strong feelings for her due to her young age - Skeeeter's twenty-first birthday is the day after Dylan's mission. Dylan finally resigns himself to letting Skeeter come along, and after that nothing goes as he expected. Skeeter has to take charge and get both herself and Dylan out of a dangerous situation. As the mission heats up, so does the relationship between Dylan and Skeeter. Travis James, a new SDF agent who was a male model in previous books, comes to aid Dylan and Skeeter. While doing so, he has a romantic encounter with Gillian Pentycote, a woman who has just begun working for the man who gives SDF orders, General Grant. Gillian is consequently kidnapped and tortured, and suffers complete memory loss. The next book in the series is the story of Travis James and Gillian Pentycote.
I really enjoy the way that Janzen brings back so many characters from her previous novels and weaves them into the story. She also always sets the stage for upcoming novels, which makes it important to read them in order. If you started the series with Crazy Love, or even if it has been some time since you read the previous novel, the book wouldn't seem to flow smoothly. The relationship between Dylan and Skeeter hinged on their yearning for one another in the previous books, and this has been the same for most of this series. I have enjoyed Dylan's character in all of the books, and was ready to read his story. I had doubts about Skeeter as a heroine, as I found her more than somewhat outlandish in the previous books. While the book started off with her still seeming an unlikely heroine, when she had to step in and take care of Dylan, for me her eccentricities ceased to matter. This is a great series, and I am looking forward to reading the next books.
I really enjoy the way that Janzen brings back so many characters from her previous novels and weaves them into the story. She also always sets the stage for upcoming novels, which makes it important to read them in order. If you started the series with Crazy Love, or even if it has been some time since you read the previous novel, the book wouldn't seem to flow smoothly. The relationship between Dylan and Skeeter hinged on their yearning for one another in the previous books, and this has been the same for most of this series. I have enjoyed Dylan's character in all of the books, and was ready to read his story. I had doubts about Skeeter as a heroine, as I found her more than somewhat outlandish in the previous books. While the book started off with her still seeming an unlikely heroine, when she had to step in and take care of Dylan, for me her eccentricities ceased to matter. This is a great series, and I am looking forward to reading the next books.
October 21, 2015
Two-haiku review:
She's young but skillful
He denies feelings for her
Till he's captured, drugged
Deep look at his heart
Messed up past still affects him
She is just perfect
She's young but skillful
He denies feelings for her
Till he's captured, drugged
Deep look at his heart
Messed up past still affects him
She is just perfect
November 10, 2010
I really, really like Skeeter, Dylan - not so much. I wish we could have seen a little more interaction between them along the lines of him actually talking and each of them understanding the other, their feelings and relationship. Instead, we just get him cold, cold, pushing her away, her loving him but getting walked all over, then at the end (after running out, yet again) him showing up, "I was stupid", the end.
April 20, 2020
What - and I cannot emphasize this enough - the heck did I just read? It certainly wasn't a love story between Skeeter and Dylan, because they interacted maybe a dozen times. It wasn't really a heist story, because the inciting incident was halfway through the book.
Instead, we were given chapters on Travis hooking up with Red Dog five minutes after meeting her, rather doing what Skeeter asked him specifically to do. I couldn't pay any attention to the burgeoning Travis romance, because I was so distracted by his gross negligence to do his job. An absolutely unnecessary plot point.
This book in a nutshell was Dylan telling Skeeter she wasn't good enough, and Skeeter continually swallowing Dylan's bullshirt. I don't even want to touch the fact there is like a twelve year age difference between Dylan and Skeeter, yet somehow Dylan is the character acting like the moody 20-year-old.
Dylan literally never came around to respect Skeeter's skills as an agent (until the epilogue), only freaked out and chose her when he thought she was leaving and that Steele Street maintenance would go under without her.
Tl;Dr - I was super excited for this book, especially after coming off #4. Skeeter and Dylan's story was supposed to be the pinnacle of the series. Instead, it left me feeling bereft enough to write a 200 word review on the internet.
If you read it and loved it, heck yes I support it. Glad you enjoyed it.
But this one was not for me.
Instead, we were given chapters on Travis hooking up with Red Dog five minutes after meeting her, rather doing what Skeeter asked him specifically to do. I couldn't pay any attention to the burgeoning Travis romance, because I was so distracted by his gross negligence to do his job. An absolutely unnecessary plot point.
This book in a nutshell was Dylan telling Skeeter she wasn't good enough, and Skeeter continually swallowing Dylan's bullshirt. I don't even want to touch the fact there is like a twelve year age difference between Dylan and Skeeter, yet somehow Dylan is the character acting like the moody 20-year-old.
Dylan literally never came around to respect Skeeter's skills as an agent (until the epilogue), only freaked out and chose her when he thought she was leaving and that Steele Street maintenance would go under without her.
Tl;Dr - I was super excited for this book, especially after coming off #4. Skeeter and Dylan's story was supposed to be the pinnacle of the series. Instead, it left me feeling bereft enough to write a 200 word review on the internet.
If you read it and loved it, heck yes I support it. Glad you enjoyed it.
But this one was not for me.
December 30, 2023
Meh. I was really looking forward to rereading this story, but it's not nearly as good as I remember.
Skeeter and Dylan have been in love with each other pretty much since they met, but Dylan is like 10 to 12 years older than her, so he's stayed away from her. There were a few scenes between them in a previous book that were a good tease to their relationship coming to fruition, but they spent most of this book apart, or Dylan still rejecting her.
Turns out he'd be kidnapped and been injected with torture serum off page. Before the book started. I was kinda surprised because that's not mentioned at all in the previous book. Ms. Janzen has gone back and forth between characters from the whole series in every book so far. So why wasn't it at least mentioned in the previous book that Dylan had been kidnapped and tortured? He has a hallucinogenic episode in the middle of a heist, and Skeeter has to save him. When he's still kinda "high," he gives into his love and sexual attraction to Skeeter, and they hook up. She feels bad about it, but not enough to stop. And then afterward, Dylan goes to Mexico for two months. I was like WHAT?! What a tool. She decides to leave SDF all together, so he finally comes back and proposes marriage. She says yes, of course. But it was so all over the place! The only saving grace is that they have known each other for a few years, so them jumping into marriage was somewhat plausible, but there was no real development of their relationship AT ALL. That was disappointing.
There's also multiple chapters from Travis's POV again, including a sex scene. There's two sex scenes in this book. One between Travis and a new chick and one between Dylan and Skeeter. I was disappointed that there wasn't another one between Dylan and Skeeter after they actually got together and were in a committed relationship. Especially with all the build up in the previous 4 books!
The next book is about Travis and the new chick who now has amnesia and doesn't remember banging him. I'm not really looking forward to it. My memory of it was that it was my least favorite book in the seires. But I'm still gonna push through.
Skeeter and Dylan have been in love with each other pretty much since they met, but Dylan is like 10 to 12 years older than her, so he's stayed away from her. There were a few scenes between them in a previous book that were a good tease to their relationship coming to fruition, but they spent most of this book apart, or Dylan still rejecting her.
Turns out he'd be kidnapped and been injected with torture serum off page. Before the book started. I was kinda surprised because that's not mentioned at all in the previous book. Ms. Janzen has gone back and forth between characters from the whole series in every book so far. So why wasn't it at least mentioned in the previous book that Dylan had been kidnapped and tortured? He has a hallucinogenic episode in the middle of a heist, and Skeeter has to save him. When he's still kinda "high," he gives into his love and sexual attraction to Skeeter, and they hook up. She feels bad about it, but not enough to stop. And then afterward, Dylan goes to Mexico for two months. I was like WHAT?! What a tool. She decides to leave SDF all together, so he finally comes back and proposes marriage. She says yes, of course. But it was so all over the place! The only saving grace is that they have known each other for a few years, so them jumping into marriage was somewhat plausible, but there was no real development of their relationship AT ALL. That was disappointing.
There's also multiple chapters from Travis's POV again, including a sex scene. There's two sex scenes in this book. One between Travis and a new chick and one between Dylan and Skeeter. I was disappointed that there wasn't another one between Dylan and Skeeter after they actually got together and were in a committed relationship. Especially with all the build up in the previous 4 books!
The next book is about Travis and the new chick who now has amnesia and doesn't remember banging him. I'm not really looking forward to it. My memory of it was that it was my least favorite book in the seires. But I'm still gonna push through.
August 29, 2015
I just love Tara Janzen’s writing. Love. It.
Crazy Love is the much-anticipated book featuring Skeeter and Dylan, so let me get this out of the way first: Their romance was definitely something of a disappointment. There wasn’t anywhere near enough development of their relationship.
And while Skeeter’s character was reasonably well-rendered, Dylan’s was most definitely not. We really didn’t get much insight into his character, and that was also a disappointment.
And yet, I really enjoyed this book, and wasn’t disappointed in the experience of reading it. So Skeeter and Dylan’s story didn’t reach its potential? Eh. Who cares? Apparently not me. I was having too much fun! I devoured this one in a day.
Tara Janzen’s books are so, so much fun, and unlike any other romantic suspense out there. Her writing is like it was tailor-made for me, and I don’t often get that feeling. I open one of her books and know with an absolute certainty that I’m going to be entertained. Really entertained.
The characters are appealing, the dialogue is brilliant, witty and fun; and the action is fast-paced, dramatic and over-the-top in the best possible way. As an added bonus, she is the master at providing a secondary romance that captures the reader.
Did I mention how much I love her writing?
Crazy Love is the much-anticipated book featuring Skeeter and Dylan, so let me get this out of the way first: Their romance was definitely something of a disappointment. There wasn’t anywhere near enough development of their relationship.
And while Skeeter’s character was reasonably well-rendered, Dylan’s was most definitely not. We really didn’t get much insight into his character, and that was also a disappointment.
And yet, I really enjoyed this book, and wasn’t disappointed in the experience of reading it. So Skeeter and Dylan’s story didn’t reach its potential? Eh. Who cares? Apparently not me. I was having too much fun! I devoured this one in a day.
Tara Janzen’s books are so, so much fun, and unlike any other romantic suspense out there. Her writing is like it was tailor-made for me, and I don’t often get that feeling. I open one of her books and know with an absolute certainty that I’m going to be entertained. Really entertained.
The characters are appealing, the dialogue is brilliant, witty and fun; and the action is fast-paced, dramatic and over-the-top in the best possible way. As an added bonus, she is the master at providing a secondary romance that captures the reader.
Did I mention how much I love her writing?
April 25, 2011
Dylan and Skeeter were absolutely explosive together. I knew they would be and I have been anticipating their entanglement since book #2. Dylan was such a cool and collected man who fell in lust with his office manager, a twenty year old Skeeter Bang (I kid you not!) for ages. And this is their story...
And I loved it. Also loved the appearance made by Hawkins and Rivera. I'm heading to Travis's story next.
And I loved it. Also loved the appearance made by Hawkins and Rivera. I'm heading to Travis's story next.
March 27, 2011
I burned through this one quickly, but it was the least interesting to date. It felt average and meh and not at all what I was expecting for Skeeter.
Review to come.
Review to come.
July 20, 2011
Awesome. It was great to finally get to know more about Dylan's story and to find out how Travis and Red Dog hooked up. This is a great series.
September 12, 2017
Skeeter and Dylan
She came to Steele Street as a teenage Goth who's Mother had just carved up her face. She could make any car hum; Dylan hummed for her too but she was jail-bait. So he made himself scarce around the building until he finally was forced to return. He was forced back the day before her 21st Birthday.
Dylan came back to recover from the torture he endured in Indonesia. Someone on the inside of the Government gave him up and now Dylan will figure out who, as soon as he completes this one quick job for General Grant in D.C. There's no one left in the office to take as back-up except Skeeter, the same one he's been avoiding being around because he's way too old for her.
As always with this Steele Street Series the tension builds through the entire book.
She came to Steele Street as a teenage Goth who's Mother had just carved up her face. She could make any car hum; Dylan hummed for her too but she was jail-bait. So he made himself scarce around the building until he finally was forced to return. He was forced back the day before her 21st Birthday.
Dylan came back to recover from the torture he endured in Indonesia. Someone on the inside of the Government gave him up and now Dylan will figure out who, as soon as he completes this one quick job for General Grant in D.C. There's no one left in the office to take as back-up except Skeeter, the same one he's been avoiding being around because he's way too old for her.
As always with this Steele Street Series the tension builds through the entire book.
November 14, 2018
This one was a disappointment because I had such high hopes for it. I finished it and couldn't come up with a single reason why Skeeter should stay with Dylan. He was a complete chauvinistic jerk to her throught the whole book.
And this story was shallow, they barelly talked, I couldn't see the connection.
And this story was shallow, they barelly talked, I couldn't see the connection.
September 11, 2017
I read this entire series a while ago. I liked the writing style, setting and characters. Fun, fast reads - all of them.
April 22, 2021
It was good I just think I was expecting more but I still really liked it
July 3, 2024
Quick and easy read-fun characters-fun plot that started a bit slow but picked up in a big way!
October 19, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others. Skeeter and Dylan's HEA was well worth the wait!
July 23, 2010
I expected a LOT from this one, so maybe my expectations were too high, but unfortunately it didn't hit the mark for me. Not the one I set all the way UP there, because this was Dylan Hart and Skeeter Bang's book. This was the one that should have knocked it out the park. The head of SDF, the elusive leader, the sophisticated one with too many secrets that can become anyone else for a mission who is in LUST/LOVE with the younger than him girl who after being saved by Superman is pretty much running Steele Street with her leather skirts, fierce loyalty, and genius for cars. Skeeter is the goth girl with an angel face and a mean scar. She's been a powerful force of nature throughout the books and has held her own against the alpha males of SDF. And she's been in love with Dylan from afar. Dylan whose always away because he can't handle what he feels for Skeeter. Now he's back, with a mission, and he might be dying. As much as he doesn't want Skeeter out in danger, as much as he ignore how much training she's gotten and how fierce an ally she'd be, he wants her with him for the selfish reason that if this is it for him he wants it with her.
The set up? Tortured dreamy. And these two HAD the chemistry. The scenes between them when things finally started to happen stole my breath. The action? Intense. My heart was racing with them and I was right there with the escapes, fights, and near death moments. And the secondary plot between Travis and Red Dog was fantastic. I loved everything about their banter; her driving a Civic like a muscle car, her car packed with crap from a move she hasn't decided to commit to, his coming down from the last mission in Colombia and the new internal battles he's facing with the change in direction his once pacifist life has taken, and the way she becomes a harbor for him to give himself over to. And then it all goes to shit and that makes the excitement for the next book really great. So what went wrong with the book? What fell short? If i had to pin it down to something I'd say that as GREAT as Dylan and Skeeter's chemistry was, this was the first time I felt like the lead couple didn't get their due. There weren't enough moments for them, not after the build up in the last books, NOT when the lead couple is two such integral characters to the series. It wasn't as tortured as Kid and Nikki, but still. It was SKEETER and DYLAN. They deserved more. It needed to be longer. The night was an intense one, and the action and the syrettes and Dylan coming apart after what happened to him were all great, and seeing Skeeter come to bat like a badass was great, and FINALLY seeing the other couples together at Steele Street was perfect. I loved seeing Creed and Hawkins with their wives, and that when the danger came to their front door the ladies kept their cool, and Creed had even been training Cordy, because after what she had been through, he vowed when he married her, "Never again." Perfect. Absolutely pitch perfect. These guys may get married and settle down, but like we saw here, when it comes down to it they are still fierce warriors.
Now if only Dylan and Skeeter got to shine it would have been perfect.
The set up? Tortured dreamy. And these two HAD the chemistry. The scenes between them when things finally started to happen stole my breath. The action? Intense. My heart was racing with them and I was right there with the escapes, fights, and near death moments. And the secondary plot between Travis and Red Dog was fantastic. I loved everything about their banter; her driving a Civic like a muscle car, her car packed with crap from a move she hasn't decided to commit to, his coming down from the last mission in Colombia and the new internal battles he's facing with the change in direction his once pacifist life has taken, and the way she becomes a harbor for him to give himself over to. And then it all goes to shit and that makes the excitement for the next book really great. So what went wrong with the book? What fell short? If i had to pin it down to something I'd say that as GREAT as Dylan and Skeeter's chemistry was, this was the first time I felt like the lead couple didn't get their due. There weren't enough moments for them, not after the build up in the last books, NOT when the lead couple is two such integral characters to the series. It wasn't as tortured as Kid and Nikki, but still. It was SKEETER and DYLAN. They deserved more. It needed to be longer. The night was an intense one, and the action and the syrettes and Dylan coming apart after what happened to him were all great, and seeing Skeeter come to bat like a badass was great, and FINALLY seeing the other couples together at Steele Street was perfect. I loved seeing Creed and Hawkins with their wives, and that when the danger came to their front door the ladies kept their cool, and Creed had even been training Cordy, because after what she had been through, he vowed when he married her, "Never again." Perfect. Absolutely pitch perfect. These guys may get married and settle down, but like we saw here, when it comes down to it they are still fierce warriors.
Now if only Dylan and Skeeter got to shine it would have been perfect.
March 31, 2018
3+ stars
.
SPECIAL DEFENSE FORCE ~~ TARA JANZEN
.
Order Title
1 Crazy Hot
2 Crazy Cool
3 Crazy Wild
4 Crazy Kisses
5 Crazy Love
6 Crazy Sweet
7 On the Loose
8 Cutting Loose
9 Loose and Easy
10 Breaking Loose
11 Loose Ends
.
SPECIAL DEFENSE FORCE ~~ TARA JANZEN
.
Order Title
1 Crazy Hot
2 Crazy Cool
3 Crazy Wild
4 Crazy Kisses
5 Crazy Love
6 Crazy Sweet
7 On the Loose
8 Cutting Loose
9 Loose and Easy
10 Breaking Loose
11 Loose Ends
January 2, 2012
I should have listened to all the other reviewers. What a letdown! Like everyone else, I was looking forward to Skeeter and Dylan's story for a while now and I fel like TJ totally phoned this one in, like she was tired or sick of the series as she was writing it.
The number one thing I had a problem with in this book was Dylan Hart. He's kind of an asshole. He only comes home, back to Denver, back to Skeeter because of a truly selfish reason. He's completely high when he does the Big Confession with Skeeter, and that pissed me off, too. Skeeter deserved way more than that. Also, at the end, Dylan falls back on his avoidance tendencies and leaves Skeeter without contact for a few months. And then he comes back with an "I can't live without you, baby!" declaration and a ring in his pocket? I would have kicked his ass out. He only came back to Steele Street because she was leaving. If she hadn't have accepted that FBI job, Dylan would still be cooling his heels in Mexico, the jerk.
I also had no idea what the hell was going on most of the time in this one. Steele Street stories ARE unbelievable, and they are fun that way, but this one I honestly had no clue. People were after Dylan (why?), something to do with a fancy DC cocktail party (what?), and I never got what exactly that file was and why it was so incendiary.
The beginning showed such promise: Dylan fighting his attraction, Skeeter learning to fit into Steele Street, and fighting for a place in the ranks, but somewhere the whole thing went off the rails, and I'm super upset about it.
The number one thing I had a problem with in this book was Dylan Hart. He's kind of an asshole. He only comes home, back to Denver, back to Skeeter because of a truly selfish reason. He's completely high when he does the Big Confession with Skeeter, and that pissed me off, too. Skeeter deserved way more than that. Also, at the end, Dylan falls back on his avoidance tendencies and leaves Skeeter without contact for a few months. And then he comes back with an "I can't live without you, baby!" declaration and a ring in his pocket? I would have kicked his ass out. He only came back to Steele Street because she was leaving. If she hadn't have accepted that FBI job, Dylan would still be cooling his heels in Mexico, the jerk.
I also had no idea what the hell was going on most of the time in this one. Steele Street stories ARE unbelievable, and they are fun that way, but this one I honestly had no clue. People were after Dylan (why?), something to do with a fancy DC cocktail party (what?), and I never got what exactly that file was and why it was so incendiary.
The beginning showed such promise: Dylan fighting his attraction, Skeeter learning to fit into Steele Street, and fighting for a place in the ranks, but somewhere the whole thing went off the rails, and I'm super upset about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2010
I'm shocked! Really shocked! This was Skeeter Bang and Dylan Hart's book. The one that should've been the "best of the greatest series ever" and it just fell flat on it's face. Disappointed couldn't begin to explain how I feel.
This book has all the incredible action of the previous books. Great, compelling, interesting, addicting action. The action piece wasn't the problem. This book also had the great secondary romance plot line that the rest of the books had. The secondary romance between Red Dog and Travis was not the problem. It was intense and interesting and I'm excited to read about them next. This book also had the scorching chemistry between the two leads...the chemistry was definitely not the problem.
Sadly though, this book definitely had a problem. In the other books there was action, other characters, and they all still had enough space and time to do the two leads justice...(ie. give them enough scenes together...talking, kissing, wanting, thinking, kissing, kissing, kissing. This book was either just to short, or just had to much other stuff that it missed the most important part of a romance book for me....couple development. This book had none....talk about a quickie...there was basically a drug induced guy, a kick butt girl, a one-night stand, months apart, and then a diamond ring. Yep...that's it. I covered it all in one sentence. How utterly disappointing for one of the coolest and most anticipated couples that I've ever hoped to read about. Bummer.
This book has all the incredible action of the previous books. Great, compelling, interesting, addicting action. The action piece wasn't the problem. This book also had the great secondary romance plot line that the rest of the books had. The secondary romance between Red Dog and Travis was not the problem. It was intense and interesting and I'm excited to read about them next. This book also had the scorching chemistry between the two leads...the chemistry was definitely not the problem.
Sadly though, this book definitely had a problem. In the other books there was action, other characters, and they all still had enough space and time to do the two leads justice...(ie. give them enough scenes together...talking, kissing, wanting, thinking, kissing, kissing, kissing. This book was either just to short, or just had to much other stuff that it missed the most important part of a romance book for me....couple development. This book had none....talk about a quickie...there was basically a drug induced guy, a kick butt girl, a one-night stand, months apart, and then a diamond ring. Yep...that's it. I covered it all in one sentence. How utterly disappointing for one of the coolest and most anticipated couples that I've ever hoped to read about. Bummer.
September 6, 2016
Steele Street head of operations, Dylan Hart has been avoiding the garage HQ for months. Well not the garage, he's been avoiding the team's office manager/top mechanic/computer wizard/gorgeous, sexy woman, Skeeter Jeanne 'Baby' Bang. He's been telling himself she's a child to be protected but with her 21st birthday upon them and her covert ops coming to light he's out of excuses.
When the details of Dylan's last solo covert op come to light on the heels of an op he has to perform Dylan has no choice but to take Skeeter as his back-up. Not only is Skeeter not pleased with Dylan's idea of her role in their assignment, she digs for more details and finds a loose thread to follow and answer the open questions from Dylan's solo op. First is how did he get caught?
In the meantime an enemy thinks he knows how to not only bring down Dylan Hart but all of Steele Street. Skeeter's willing to give Dylan exactly what he asks for as long as she gets what she wants. Dylan cuts Skeeter's duties for the op so she calls in re-enforcements. Mr. One and Done is ready to run until Ms. Bang shows him doesn't get what he wants unless she gets exactly what she wants.
This pairing simmered thru the last couple of installments rising expectations this reader had to dump to enjoy the outing. When I did, I got the Steele Street formula, an alpha male kicking and screaming about either protecting the woman he wants or denying he cares and an operation highlighting that alphas skill set. Skeeter happens to be an equally skilled underestimated alpha female from Steele Street.
Rating: 4stars
When the details of Dylan's last solo covert op come to light on the heels of an op he has to perform Dylan has no choice but to take Skeeter as his back-up. Not only is Skeeter not pleased with Dylan's idea of her role in their assignment, she digs for more details and finds a loose thread to follow and answer the open questions from Dylan's solo op. First is how did he get caught?
In the meantime an enemy thinks he knows how to not only bring down Dylan Hart but all of Steele Street. Skeeter's willing to give Dylan exactly what he asks for as long as she gets what she wants. Dylan cuts Skeeter's duties for the op so she calls in re-enforcements. Mr. One and Done is ready to run until Ms. Bang shows him doesn't get what he wants unless she gets exactly what she wants.
This pairing simmered thru the last couple of installments rising expectations this reader had to dump to enjoy the outing. When I did, I got the Steele Street formula, an alpha male kicking and screaming about either protecting the woman he wants or denying he cares and an operation highlighting that alphas skill set. Skeeter happens to be an equally skilled underestimated alpha female from Steele Street.
Rating: 4stars
April 14, 2012
It felt like being on a beachside vacation to revisit the fast, fun, shots-fired world of Tara Jenzen’s Denver-based, Crazy series romantic suspense. In the Crazy Love installment, Special Defense Forces chief Dylan Hart can’t seem to keep away from ex-street rat, drag racing, punk rock agent Skeeter Bang (her real name!) A CIA agent gone bad and his Indonesian pirate sidekicks have Dylan in their sights, but Skeeter’s just scored her first mission with her too-hot-to-handle boss—watching his six at a glamorous D.C. cocktail party thrown by a crooked senator. No way she’s going to let Dylan down—especially considering the fact that she’s been secretly in love with him, like, forever! When the bad guys shoot Dylan full of truth serum, he spills a few secrets of his own—to Skeeter. And the situation gets hot…way hot!
This is a feel-good, sexy romp of a romantic adventure, with just enough bad-guy thrill to keep things scary. A perfect read for romantic suspense fans who like their stories fun and flirty and not too gritty. An unconventional, likable heroine and a cast of familiar characters from previous books in the series offer more rewards to readers of Jansen’s Crazy series.
Happy reading!
Laura Navarre
www.LauraNavarre.com
Desire has never been so dangerous.
This is a feel-good, sexy romp of a romantic adventure, with just enough bad-guy thrill to keep things scary. A perfect read for romantic suspense fans who like their stories fun and flirty and not too gritty. An unconventional, likable heroine and a cast of familiar characters from previous books in the series offer more rewards to readers of Jansen’s Crazy series.
Happy reading!
Laura Navarre
www.LauraNavarre.com
Desire has never been so dangerous.
January 3, 2013
**May Contain Spoilers***
So far this was my least favorite book in the series, which really sucks because I was so looking forward to the Seekter/Dylan romance, it's been brewing for awhile now. I'm not really sure why it didn't hold the weight of the previous books, maybe I felt the relationship development wasn't genuine, but that's not quite right because Janzen held true to the characters. I just feel as if it was rushed, or not exactly rushed but not given the time it deserved. I really think if more of the book was focused on Skeeter and Dylan's developing romance, more of there scorching kisses both of them want but neither are willing to admit it would have made this book one of my favorites. Like the Antique store scene multiple times before they both finally exploded (which was lacking compared to the other couples coupling).
It was still a fun story, but to be honest I was more interested in the man-whore Travis.
***Spoiler Alert***
Seriously he falls in love with every other cool girl who shows up or he gets to kiss. First Regan, then Skeeter, then Jane, and now he's falling for someone else. He is so fickle! I'm looking forward to his book (the next one), although I'm not sure how I feel about the heroine's "issues."
So far this was my least favorite book in the series, which really sucks because I was so looking forward to the Seekter/Dylan romance, it's been brewing for awhile now. I'm not really sure why it didn't hold the weight of the previous books, maybe I felt the relationship development wasn't genuine, but that's not quite right because Janzen held true to the characters. I just feel as if it was rushed, or not exactly rushed but not given the time it deserved. I really think if more of the book was focused on Skeeter and Dylan's developing romance, more of there scorching kisses both of them want but neither are willing to admit it would have made this book one of my favorites. Like the Antique store scene multiple times before they both finally exploded (which was lacking compared to the other couples coupling).
It was still a fun story, but to be honest I was more interested in the man-whore Travis.
***Spoiler Alert***
Seriously he falls in love with every other cool girl who shows up or he gets to kiss. First Regan, then Skeeter, then Jane, and now he's falling for someone else. He is so fickle! I'm looking forward to his book (the next one), although I'm not sure how I feel about the heroine's "issues."
October 12, 2010
There is nothing like watching a good man fall for a woman and Dylan Hart falls hard for Skeeter Bang. And yes I know what you are thinking and yes it took me a while to get used to the name Skeeter Bang also.
Oh my god can we please get a woman for Travis, Janzen has hooked him up with a different woman in each book. I am getting tired of Travis encroaching on what is suppose to be the main couples time.
I like how Dylan's phobias are leeches and his mother. Hahahha, nice comedic moment.
After 3 books and endless avoidance, all it took was little bit of sodium pentothal to get Dylan to say he loved Skeeter. Sodium Pentothal every girl should have some.
Janzen wraps these stories up so quickly that it leaves my head spinning sometimes and I feel like I missed something. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this couple. They had great chemistry but Janzen seemed to want to put to much into the crime part of the story, so the book felt a little disjointed to me.
This book wasn't a keeper for me but I did love the last two lines of the book (Big grin on my face here)very nice Janzen.
B
Oh my god can we please get a woman for Travis, Janzen has hooked him up with a different woman in each book. I am getting tired of Travis encroaching on what is suppose to be the main couples time.
I like how Dylan's phobias are leeches and his mother. Hahahha, nice comedic moment.
After 3 books and endless avoidance, all it took was little bit of sodium pentothal to get Dylan to say he loved Skeeter. Sodium Pentothal every girl should have some.
Janzen wraps these stories up so quickly that it leaves my head spinning sometimes and I feel like I missed something. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this couple. They had great chemistry but Janzen seemed to want to put to much into the crime part of the story, so the book felt a little disjointed to me.
This book wasn't a keeper for me but I did love the last two lines of the book (Big grin on my face here)very nice Janzen.
B
May 29, 2012
Overall Rating: 4.85 // Action: 5 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 4 / Suspense: 4.5 // Humor: 12 / Tears: 0
Tara Janzen continues to enthrall Romantic Suspense enthusiasts. Book Five of "The Steele Street Series," Crazy Love, is another winner! It embodies all the elements that make it a keeper. {1} The romance starts on page one and gives the reader the requisite happily-ever-after at the end. {2} A sense of action and adventure seems to run through the whole book. {3} The suspense in always in the background; making the reader wonder if Skeeter will be able to save Dylan; if Dylan will have to save Skeeter; how will the good guys be able to outwit and beat the bad guys. {4} The sensuality and love scenes were potent, hot and great reading. {5} Was so emotionally invested in the characters that just wanted to spend more time with them.
Janzen gave us glimpse of Superman again in this book. Can't wait to read Book Six, Crazy Sweet. See Wolf Bear Does Books for a more in-depth, detailed review of Crazy Love.
Tara Janzen continues to enthrall Romantic Suspense enthusiasts. Book Five of "The Steele Street Series," Crazy Love, is another winner! It embodies all the elements that make it a keeper. {1} The romance starts on page one and gives the reader the requisite happily-ever-after at the end. {2} A sense of action and adventure seems to run through the whole book. {3} The suspense in always in the background; making the reader wonder if Skeeter will be able to save Dylan; if Dylan will have to save Skeeter; how will the good guys be able to outwit and beat the bad guys. {4} The sensuality and love scenes were potent, hot and great reading. {5} Was so emotionally invested in the characters that just wanted to spend more time with them.
Janzen gave us glimpse of Superman again in this book. Can't wait to read Book Six, Crazy Sweet. See Wolf Bear Does Books for a more in-depth, detailed review of Crazy Love.
July 12, 2014
I love this series. Please read the books in order as most of the characters appearing in this book have been in previous books.
This book is about Skeeter Bang, Denver street rat, who was literally saved by Christian Hawkins, aka Superman. Skeeter is a tech and computer wiz for Special Defense Forces, SDF, and has been taking arms and combat training from Superman. Skeeter also has fallen in love with Dylan Hart, second in command for SDF. Dylan has been on a very difficult mission and must do a turnaround in only 2 days. Superman broke his ankle on his last mission and everyone else is out on assignment leaving only Skeeter to back up Dylan on this assignment. Dylan is not happy about this, because he is in love with Skeeter and does not want her in any danger. This is Skeeters chance to show him she can play with the big dogs and at the same time protect Dylan. The bad guys from Dylan's last mission loaded him with drugs that have left him vulnerable and they are not finished with him.
This book is about Skeeter Bang, Denver street rat, who was literally saved by Christian Hawkins, aka Superman. Skeeter is a tech and computer wiz for Special Defense Forces, SDF, and has been taking arms and combat training from Superman. Skeeter also has fallen in love with Dylan Hart, second in command for SDF. Dylan has been on a very difficult mission and must do a turnaround in only 2 days. Superman broke his ankle on his last mission and everyone else is out on assignment leaving only Skeeter to back up Dylan on this assignment. Dylan is not happy about this, because he is in love with Skeeter and does not want her in any danger. This is Skeeters chance to show him she can play with the big dogs and at the same time protect Dylan. The bad guys from Dylan's last mission loaded him with drugs that have left him vulnerable and they are not finished with him.
April 23, 2011
I have loved Skeeter from the first time she showed up. She is so different and really doesn't care what people think of her, she is ok with herself. She loves helping the guys of Steele Street and has a not so secret crush on her boss, Dylan.
Dylan has is own crush on Skeeter, but can't get pass their age difference and thinking of her like a little girl. His crush makes him want to protect her and goes ballistic when he finds out that Skeeter has moved from office manager to going out on missions.
I found it funny when Dylan wanted to control all aspects of Skeeter's life to keep her safe and to stay away from her. I also loved that Dylan couldn't really tell her just what he felt until he was high as a kite. He was so funny like that.
I also really like how Travis has changed. His little adventure was fun. He always seems to go for unconventional woman and Red Dog is sure that.
I can't wait for the next adventure.
Dylan has is own crush on Skeeter, but can't get pass their age difference and thinking of her like a little girl. His crush makes him want to protect her and goes ballistic when he finds out that Skeeter has moved from office manager to going out on missions.
I found it funny when Dylan wanted to control all aspects of Skeeter's life to keep her safe and to stay away from her. I also loved that Dylan couldn't really tell her just what he felt until he was high as a kite. He was so funny like that.
I also really like how Travis has changed. His little adventure was fun. He always seems to go for unconventional woman and Red Dog is sure that.
I can't wait for the next adventure.
March 10, 2010
I was so excited to read Skeeter's story and I honestly expected so much more. I think it's because Dylan isn't like any of the other Steel Street guys that i was looking forward to seeing how this story would progress. I was definatly dissapointed that Janzen didn't include more interaction between skeeter and dylan.
That's not to say that it was a bad book, it just would've been better if she had skeeter and dylan interacting more. The heist part of the story was the most entertaining and easiest to get through.
Also, the ending just came out of nowhere. If you hadn't read any of the previous Steel Street books then the ending wouldn't have made any sense.
That's not to say that it was a bad book, it just would've been better if she had skeeter and dylan interacting more. The heist part of the story was the most entertaining and easiest to get through.
Also, the ending just came out of nowhere. If you hadn't read any of the previous Steel Street books then the ending wouldn't have made any sense.
This isn't a Disney story, the characters need to actually spend some time together in order to fall in love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
Skeeter and Dylan have great chemistry and hilarious dialogue. Janzen has been nurturing this May-October romance along for five books now, and the buildup was worth it. Skeeter is absolutely believable as a badass operative. In fact, I find her more well-rounded than Dylan, who I didn't even know was a master thief until this book. I hope Skeeter doesn't go the way of other Steele Street heroines - that is, relegated to summaries made about scenes that happen off the page. This book also has a great setup for the next installment.
Two things, though:
1. What's with "Geezus"? I assume this is an editorial decision made to prevent offending readers, but in books that are about torture, murder, and terrorism, I think that bird's already flown.
2. Who designed these covers? And how do they manage to draw the lumpiest man-silhouettes I've ever seen?
Two things, though:
1. What's with "Geezus"? I assume this is an editorial decision made to prevent offending readers, but in books that are about torture, murder, and terrorism, I think that bird's already flown.
2. Who designed these covers? And how do they manage to draw the lumpiest man-silhouettes I've ever seen?
Want to Read
January 21, 2014CRAZY LOVE - STEELE STREET #5 - (Dylan and Skeeter)
Government operative Dylan Hart has survived some of the riskiest missions known to man. But no nemesis could have prepared the Special Defense Forces commander for the newest member of his team. A street-smart heartbreaker in Day-Glo pink and black leather, Skeeter Bang has been recruited to aid and abet Dylan�s latest mission: steal a top-secret file and bury it before all hell breaks loose.
Teaming up with a man who may be the last bona fide defender of the free world is a risk Skeeter�s ready to take. Until a black-tie Washington soiree erupts in a bullet-flying free-for-all. Now Skeeter�s got danger on her trail and Dylan arousing every bad-boy fantasy she ever had. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is about to plunge one man and woman right into the sizzling line of fire�
Government operative Dylan Hart has survived some of the riskiest missions known to man. But no nemesis could have prepared the Special Defense Forces commander for the newest member of his team. A street-smart heartbreaker in Day-Glo pink and black leather, Skeeter Bang has been recruited to aid and abet Dylan�s latest mission: steal a top-secret file and bury it before all hell breaks loose.
Teaming up with a man who may be the last bona fide defender of the free world is a risk Skeeter�s ready to take. Until a black-tie Washington soiree erupts in a bullet-flying free-for-all. Now Skeeter�s got danger on her trail and Dylan arousing every bad-boy fantasy she ever had. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is about to plunge one man and woman right into the sizzling line of fire�
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