Hale

Circe's Recruits #4

by Marie Harte

Circe’s Recruits; Previous Derrick
Urban Fantasy/Shape-shifter Paranormal Menage

In the three years since Project Dawn disbanded, Hale continues to fight the good fight. Now civilians, his squad--Circe's Recruits--work for a private organization bent on cleaning up the mess left in the wake of Project Dawn's rebirth. Pearson Labs continues to create Circs, people who have been genetically changed. When needed, these Circs take on an altered form--one neither man nor animal, but something in between. But unlike the squad, the Circs coming out of Pearson Labs aren't sane.

Hale's dreams are more than nightmares--the prophetic doom of a beautiful woman he doesn't know and a man he wishes he'd never two people meant for him that are too involved with his enemy for Hale's peace of mind. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and Hale's beast won't accept less than the woman and man destined to become his mates. Then word arrives that Pearson Labs is finally coming down, and Hale has to race to save his mates from the fallout. Can they survive or will their love crumble under the enemy's chaos and deception too close to home?

Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, menage (m/f/m with m/m sexual interaction), sex in shifted form, violence.

Genres: Paranormal, Menage, M M F, Erotica, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Romance

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2009

About the author

Important:: Marie Harte is NOT active on GoodReads, so to contact her, please use her website at marieharte.com.

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the conclusion to Circ's Recruits and finally the destruction of Pearson Labs, though I would've liked more description of the take down.

Hale Rogers, Roane's Number 2 Circ, has been dreaming of a blonde and McKinley. You just know what's gonna happen. Yep, Paige has been dreaming of him too and she's loved Robbie (McKinley) for years.

Paige is Dr Elliott Pearl's daughter, and she hated him as much as everyone else. He'd turned her into an experiment even before she was born, but after his death she escaped the Lab and thought she was safe. Until the mutant Circs & Hale turn up looking for her.

So the group dynamic changes as at least 2 of the females are pregnant and they are all preparing to walk down the aisle, a new team is introduced for the next series, Dawn Endeavour and all is right in our world cause the bad politicans and bad military have been flung into prison.

Always enjoy Marie Harte's work.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Maybe not quite as much as Zack and Ace's story but there was still plenty of adoration. I liked how the storyline was tied up and the introduction of the SEAL team (heroes of the Dawn Endeavor series). I thought McKinley was a growly, sexy, scary character and somehow his relationship with Hale and Paige worked perfectly for me. As the overall arc winds down, the Recruits are desperately trying to find out who's running Pearson Labs while Hale is hunting down Paige, the daughter of the mad scientist who helped create the Circs, to keep her safe. As if finding his mate isn't enough, Hale also realizes that he's drawn to McKinley, the Circ who helped them from within Pearson Labs. I really enjoyed the entire series and was happy with the way things progressed from book to book and the way the final resolution played out. Now I'm anxious to get started on the Dawn Endeavor series.

[Sassafrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

WAAAAAAAHHHH, I'm so sad that the series is over, but I really felt like Marie Harte saved the best for last. I loved this story about Hale, Robbie, and Paige. They were so hot together, and I'm so glad that we finally solved the mystery surrounding the enigmatic Robbie McKinley.

The plot came to a wonderful climax, but I felt like I was left with as many questions as I had answers. I was hoping that there could be a continuation of this series, maybe with the Navy SEAL guys or something. I just don't want it to end. I really felt like the author created something special with this series. :)

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Harte is a new author to me, and I found that her work was a little different which made me want to see what it was all about. Let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised.
What I have found is that anything goes in her world. There is MM MFM and anything in between. It is original, it is fun, it is sexy, it is sizzling, it is strangely erotic in this paranormal world, and you will need more than a long drink to cool down.
There is plenty of action and sexfests and you want to do away with the evil who place horrors against the characters. You want to be there to do harm when they infiltrate the enemy.
If you like something oh so sexy, spicy and erotic, steaming and exciting with multiple partners then this is a book you should grab and dive right in.

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hale was s good!

Hale, book 4 of the Circe's Recruits series, by Marie Harte @authormarieharte. This is a re-read of the series for me. I had been thinking about this series for months & finally decided no time like the present! 🤩

Lots of MM & menage in this book. I truly enjoyed this book & all the twists & turns of Hale, Paige & Robbie went through to get to their HFN ending.

This was a great book that concluded Circe’s Recruits with a perfect lead into the spinoff series Dawn Endeavor. 🤩

[KDLediting · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This final in this series comes with unexpected twists but ties up all the loose ends deliciously. A happier ending than imagined

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤🖤 konečně další příběh podobný mé oblíbené sérii Nový druh.
Příběh, vztahy, postavy, interakce ve skupině, napínavý příběh a postupně odhalující se zápletka 😻

[Sunflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5⭐️

[ᗰ.ᑕ. ❄️ O͎L͎D͎E͎R͎ ͎&͎ ͎W͎I͎S͎E͎R͎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read July 2023
1st half = 3 stars
2nd half = 2 stars
2.5 stars

The final book in the series was


✦ Hale's mates are Paige & Robbie McKinley.
✦ Pearson Labs gets taken down.
✦ New characters are introduced for a spin-off series: Hawkins, Fallon, Tersch, and Hayashi. They're SEALs and Circs.

The first half was good, but the second half felt rushed. I skimmed some at the end because of the overload of info., which won't be remembered. Many important events happen off-page. The MCs' relationship felt underdeveloped; there wasn’t enough focus on their connection beyond their sexual one. They become a throuple about halfway through.

My Favorite Scene: The moment when Robbie sees Hale asleep on the bed and an intense desire overwhelms him. Their first sex scene together is sizzling. 🥵

Least Favorite Part: Robbie's struggles with his sexual issues was frustrating. He was SO scared of hurting Paige that he needed to be pushed to touch her. Later, he felt really upset because he thought he might have hurt Hale. This worry lasted throughout the story. Both Hale and Paige had to take charge and show Robbie that it’s okay to be rough during sex, but it was disappointing to see such hesitation from someone who is supposed to be a strong character.

Robbie didn't understand why he had strong urges for sex and blood, so he turned to human men to fill some of that need. (There’s a scene with him and two other men that I didn't enjoy.) Hale and Paige had to help him realize that his desires weren't wrong.

Overall, I was disappointed. It was nice to see characters from previous books, but I would only recommend this to those who want closure to the series, even if it's not a satisfying one.

━━━☛ 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼｡ ☚━━━

Hale is the last Circ to be mated:
He liked the fact that his friends had found people to love. It had taken Ace and Zack years to come to grips with what they meant to each other as well as to Kelly, and now the threesome was inseparable. Roane had his hands full with Caitlyn, and Derrick had finally found a woman to tolerate his gruff attitude in the mean and sexy Sabrina.

Paige
▪️She and Hale had dreams about each other.
▪️Is Doc's niece, whom he thought was dead.
▪️Elliot Pearl (evil scientist) is her father.
▪️Elliot made her a Circ for his breeding program.
▪️She can control the mutants b/c her DNA was used.

McKinley
▪️Worked undercover under General Mike Shield.
▪️Was born a Circ, but has no beast form.
▪️Can manipulate psychic energy like a weapon.
▪️Is 7 feet, with yellow, catlike eyes, fangs & claws.
▪️Has been Paige's friend for 5 years.
▪️Is Caitlyn's (Roane's mate) long-lost brother.
▪️His blood was used by P.L. to create the mutants.

Doc aka Evan Dennis
▪️Reunites with Diego, his lover of 8 years, who also was working undercover.
▪️Creates a serum to stop the Circs from turning pyschotic.

😠 Taking down Pearson Labs has been a plot thread since book 1, but Circe's Recruits (Roane & his squad) were told to stay out of it, while General Mike Shields and his group did it off-page.

Simon Dunn (inept evil villain who was trying to take over Pearson Labs), is killed off-page.
In his quest for power & money:
▪️He killed Elliot Pearl in book 3.
▪️Took a serum that was slowly killing him.
▪️Was killed when he tried to kidnap pregnant Kelly.

The Breeding Program is a thread left hanging. We only learn that it's successful, with the birth of their first rogue. This may continue in the spin-off series. 🤷‍♀️

The End:
▪️ General Kohl and Senator Kuntz are imprisoned.
▪️ General Shields wants to use Jules Hawkins & his team to replace the defunct Project Dawn.
▪️ Caitlyn is pregnant.
▪️ All the Circ couples plan on getting married.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read years ago and first reviewed in 2015 and I am still loving this series in 2021.
The series is now in KU so I will be reading them again.
Best to read in order to get the whole benefit of the sub stories.
I have just reread this series CIRCE’S RECRUITS and the follow-on series DAWN ENDEAVOUR for the third time. Always enjoyable to read.
If you want something that is a bit different, not quite shifter and not quite alien, along the lines of government science projects, genetically altering people, everything going wrong, scientists playing god, then this might just be for you.
Circe’s Recruits - Soldiers turned into something more.
They fight against the ones who could not take being turned, or just ended up bad and are called rogue circs.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Hale has more talent and powers (which are growing) than the other Circs but has kept it quiet. His physic powers really come in when he meets Paige.
Hale has sort of been in a ménage relationship with Roane and Caitlyn but keeps having dreams of Paige and Robbie.
Paige has been friends and in lust with McKinley (Robbie who is seen in the other books working for the PPA) for years, he has been helping her to hide and stay safe.
Paige is the daughter of the head doctor/scientist working for the PPA. Everyone thought she died as a baby but she was used as a test subject by her own father.
Robbie is a natural born Circ and has loved Paige for years but believes he is too rough and dangerous to be with her. He is also one of the good guys. He is trying to put a stop to the PPA because it was his blood that was used to make the first Circs.
When they all get together it is a bumpy but exciting ride.
This book also explains a lot more about the Circs and other background information.
The four books in the series all weave together to form one really good ongoing story with relationships coming together, both past and present and sub stories about other important people who have pivotal roles in the series.
This book tidies up and answers some questions but it does continue in the spinoff series.
If you have enjoyed this series read DAWN ENDAVOUR which follows on from here.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the fourth book in the Circe's Recruits book - Hale. Hale is the second in command of the squad and the only one not mated. Therefore when the team is searching for Doc's niece - Paige you almost instantly know who Hale will mate. The only issue is that Hale is a bit of a prophet with some of his visions and Paige is not his only partner/mate.

Hale is up in arms since he is most certainly attracted to Paige but he is also intensely attracted to the person in his visions and can't quite pinpoint what his future holds. Paige is also attracted to Hale but she can't help but feel love for McKinley too since she has known and loved him since she was a kid.

Robbie McKinley is a full blooded Circ and was believed to be working with the PPA. That has not been the case at all since Robbie is actually the Circ that helped them while inside Pearson labs. He feels almost responsible for all the PPA has done since his blood was used to create the weapons program they created with it. Where Robbie also holds an intense affection for Paige he feels he will hurt her because he is too rough but that rule doesn't apply to Hale.

These three together burn up the sheets and create an intense bond. All questions are pretty much answered and Pearson Labs is destroyed but there is always room for more in this intense and highly erotic series :)

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great ending to the Circe's recruits. Ms. Harte adds a nice touch with a little bit of BDSM and some nice rough kinky sex. The menage between Hale, Robbie (McKinley) and Paige is delicious. I devoured every little word in each sex scene. I felt each sex scene only added to the storyline. I'm glad the bad guys were taken down. This was my favourite story within the four. I think it's because I liked Hale and Robbie was a definitely turn on with his Alpha personality. To my surprise, the story doesn't end here! There is an offshoot series with the 4 navy men who were turned into Circ. I immediately went on line and purchased those. I'll be swimming with seamen soon! ^_^

[L-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hale Rogers has been having dreams of a man and a beautiful woman. He suspects the identity of the man, but is not sure what that would mean for him or for his team. The woman is Paige Masters, Doc's niece and daughter of the brilliant Pearl. Hale must discover if Paige's loyalties lie with her father and his research, even though Pearl is dead.

I can't say too much about the other MC without giving things away, but I will say that I easily could determine who Hale's male counterpart was from the previous books. I enjoyed this book and the dynamic between all three characters. This was my favorite book in the series so far.

[Timmysparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this series. This book was a great conclusion to the series. I loved Robbie, Hale and Paige's relationship. I loved the reunion between Robbie and Caitlyn. Robbie went through a lot to bring down Pearson Labs and I loved that he was dedicated and put his heart into it. I really liked how all the members of Circe's Recruits got their happy endings. I'm looking forward to reading the spin-off, Dawn Endeavors.

[LilMisGrayBrisk · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was my least favorite in this series. I don't think it finished well. Things became too predictable, making nothing that was revealed a surprise. I thought the resolution was pat and the relationships sappy. The author had a habit of telling how the characters felt, but I didn’t really see or believe it. It was a disappointing read, considering how invested I was in the storyline.

[Missyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great characters. This one is about Hale, Paige, and McKinley. Good twists, and surprises, but felt like the series closed but didn't get closure with the characters. Almost felt rushed. Would have liked a epilogue giving some sort of update & closure to the story that has been going on and carried over from book to book. I'll give Fallon's flame a try to see if that spin off series gives some closure to this series, and is any good.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group

[Jane (PS) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the four stories. Loved the book and the interaction between the H/H/h and the overall resolution of the PPA storyline. Will be looking to see if Marie Harte has developed another series with the Navy SEALS that were left over...

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Hale and McKinley! RAWR. although, didn't like how they called him Robbie. I prefer McKinley. Liked the ending how they left it open.. hope to see more of them. Also, I like the Caitlyn/ Robbie family ties!

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite book of the series because of all the tie ups that happen with the story line. I also like the emotional struggles the main characters went through to make their relationship possible.

[Pam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say Robbie McKinley is the shiznit :o) no spoilers but this was an awesome book. I'm hoping we get more books just to continue the debacle of Pearson's lab. There are loads of un-explained happenings that I would like answers 2.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trade Paperback

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOT AS HELL!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - I enjoyed the book itself, but as far as an ending to the series, it felt a bit rushed.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad this series is over but this shit was hot!! Looking forward to reading more from Marie Harte to see what else she has up her sleeve!

[Lyndac · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great finish to a great series and a lead-in to a new series. I just hope some of the circs visit the new series.

[Salena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Meg Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lea Blottiaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed all the action in this book. A lot of loose ends were tied up. It was a good read.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!...
This book, SMOKING HOT!
There's nothing that I didn't love about this story. Great story line, shifters, and the sex?.. holy shit.
I will gladly follow this entire series!