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Dragon One #2
Hit Hard
IT ONLY TAKES ONE MATCH...
Vivi Fiori wondered how the day could have gotten so bad so fast. One minute, she's on a train moving through the Thai countryside, a precious archeological artifact in her hands; the next, she's being chased through the jungle by the Thai mafia with some hardcore American marine right behind her, shouting orders like she should be grateful for his macho interference. What Vivi needs is to get to her contact in Bangkok--warm shower, nice hotel, girly clothes, no dead bodies or sexy armed Marines. Her practical side is telling her to run like hell. Then again, her practical side never met a guy like Sam Wyatt...
...TO START AN UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE
Sam has a mission--follow a trail of stolen diamonds, hoping it will lead him to the weapons sale he needs to stop. Finding the terrorists who took down his buddy will be the icing on the cake. But now, he's stuck babysitting a curvy, talk-a-mile-a-minute redhead who's hell-bent on playing Indiana Jones with her piece of Thai history. He can't just abandon her to the snakes, the crocs, the Mafia, and whatever else is out there. She wouldn't last ten seconds. And he can't deny that everything about her stirs a deep hunger in him--or that the power of their attraction is so electric he knows he can never really let her go. Now, protecting Vivi is his new mission--his most dangerous yet--and one that will lead them both to a deadly threat beyond all imagining...
Vivi Fiori wondered how the day could have gotten so bad so fast. One minute, she's on a train moving through the Thai countryside, a precious archeological artifact in her hands; the next, she's being chased through the jungle by the Thai mafia with some hardcore American marine right behind her, shouting orders like she should be grateful for his macho interference. What Vivi needs is to get to her contact in Bangkok--warm shower, nice hotel, girly clothes, no dead bodies or sexy armed Marines. Her practical side is telling her to run like hell. Then again, her practical side never met a guy like Sam Wyatt...
...TO START AN UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE
Sam has a mission--follow a trail of stolen diamonds, hoping it will lead him to the weapons sale he needs to stop. Finding the terrorists who took down his buddy will be the icing on the cake. But now, he's stuck babysitting a curvy, talk-a-mile-a-minute redhead who's hell-bent on playing Indiana Jones with her piece of Thai history. He can't just abandon her to the snakes, the crocs, the Mafia, and whatever else is out there. She wouldn't last ten seconds. And he can't deny that everything about her stirs a deep hunger in him--or that the power of their attraction is so electric he knows he can never really let her go. Now, protecting Vivi is his new mission--his most dangerous yet--and one that will lead them both to a deadly threat beyond all imagining...
346 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Amy J. Fetzer
91 books129 followersHi there. Thanks for stopping by!
I'll tell you right off that I don't like reading my own bios, let alone writing them. It's like tooting your own horn. But if you're here, then you want to know something about me. So how about I break some ‘writers have a glamorous life' myths first off.
Myth 1: Writers have always been writers.
Not me. I was a licensed cosmotologist for years, and didn't even put pen to paper until I was 30. (with an infant and 3 year old) It took me 3 years to write my first book, and while it taught me a lot, it was dreadful ! Got rejected 6 times flat out. I burned it in the back yard when I sold my 20 th book. I've kept the first pages to remind myself of how far I've come.
Myth 2: writers have a staff to take care of them and their homes while they write.
I wish! I don't have a maid, a cook, or anyone who works for me, except maybe Shelley, who maintains this site. Like most women out there, I do all the cooking, cleaning, bills, shopping, etc. Sometimes I can be seen driving the riding lawnmower over our 2 acres. That's not a complaint. I'm a Marine's wife, and my husband was gone a lot, so I had to do it. I'm the only female in a house of men, so I pretty much rule too. And as the daughter, wife, and now the mother of US Marines, believe me, I can give orders when need be.
Myth 3. Writers work when the muse hits them.
If I did, I'd never meet a deadline. Writing isn't about the muse coming to you; it's about unleashing bottled creativity and giving it freedom on paper. Every writer I know feels a deep internal need to tell their particular story and hope you're entertained. Writers HAVE to write. Yeah, sure, sometimes the creativity isn't moving like we want, but like everyone who faces some problem, I go to my friends and they come through in a punch. By the way, I work at my job from about 7 am till 4, sometimes later if it's going great and I don't want to stop. Weekends are for playing, projects or gardening. I actually love pulling weeds; it makes my mind drift to good places.
Myth 4: Writers get paid oodles of money.
Oodles?? If I did, I'd have a staff and a better-looking office. But I get to go to work in the worlds' sloppiest clothes.
Myth 5: Once a writer sells a book, they can sell anything else.
Want to see my rejection file? I could wallpaper a bathroom with it. To keep selling is the really hard part of this job. However, my idea of a great story isn't often blending with the editors. It's frustrating and often, it hurts, since the books writers create have, without a doubt, a piece of them inside. But then, if you can't take it, then this isn't the business for you.
My second book (#1 being the dreadful one I burned) My Timeswept Heart was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America, Golden Heart contest for unpublished works. I didn't win, but it got my work before my Kensington editor. It came out in '93 and I've sold over 30 since. With numerous rejections in between.
Right now, I'm writing books I've wanted to write for three years, Romantic Thrillers. Think Peacemaker or Chain Reaction with a little more romance in them. Lots of action and danger. After writing books in 5 sub genres of romance, (I get bored easily) this new one is the chance for me to use all this military knowledge I've stored up for years. I've fired weapons, rappelled, ridden in an Armored Personnel Carrier, and did some Scuba diving in the East China Sea. It hasn't been boring, and because I write, it never will be.
Now that my Sergeant Major husband is retired, and my sons are grown and towering over their mother, we get to stay in one place.
How average. I love it. When I feel the itch to move every 3 years, I just redecorate.
Well, its time for me to get back to work. Thanks for visiting. Take a look around the site, drop me a note, even read the first chapter of a new novel, if you like. It's out there for you, the reader. I wouldn't be loving my job if you weren't
I'll tell you right off that I don't like reading my own bios, let alone writing them. It's like tooting your own horn. But if you're here, then you want to know something about me. So how about I break some ‘writers have a glamorous life' myths first off.
Myth 1: Writers have always been writers.
Not me. I was a licensed cosmotologist for years, and didn't even put pen to paper until I was 30. (with an infant and 3 year old) It took me 3 years to write my first book, and while it taught me a lot, it was dreadful ! Got rejected 6 times flat out. I burned it in the back yard when I sold my 20 th book. I've kept the first pages to remind myself of how far I've come.
Myth 2: writers have a staff to take care of them and their homes while they write.
I wish! I don't have a maid, a cook, or anyone who works for me, except maybe Shelley, who maintains this site. Like most women out there, I do all the cooking, cleaning, bills, shopping, etc. Sometimes I can be seen driving the riding lawnmower over our 2 acres. That's not a complaint. I'm a Marine's wife, and my husband was gone a lot, so I had to do it. I'm the only female in a house of men, so I pretty much rule too. And as the daughter, wife, and now the mother of US Marines, believe me, I can give orders when need be.
Myth 3. Writers work when the muse hits them.
If I did, I'd never meet a deadline. Writing isn't about the muse coming to you; it's about unleashing bottled creativity and giving it freedom on paper. Every writer I know feels a deep internal need to tell their particular story and hope you're entertained. Writers HAVE to write. Yeah, sure, sometimes the creativity isn't moving like we want, but like everyone who faces some problem, I go to my friends and they come through in a punch. By the way, I work at my job from about 7 am till 4, sometimes later if it's going great and I don't want to stop. Weekends are for playing, projects or gardening. I actually love pulling weeds; it makes my mind drift to good places.
Myth 4: Writers get paid oodles of money.
Oodles?? If I did, I'd have a staff and a better-looking office. But I get to go to work in the worlds' sloppiest clothes.
Myth 5: Once a writer sells a book, they can sell anything else.
Want to see my rejection file? I could wallpaper a bathroom with it. To keep selling is the really hard part of this job. However, my idea of a great story isn't often blending with the editors. It's frustrating and often, it hurts, since the books writers create have, without a doubt, a piece of them inside. But then, if you can't take it, then this isn't the business for you.
My second book (#1 being the dreadful one I burned) My Timeswept Heart was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America, Golden Heart contest for unpublished works. I didn't win, but it got my work before my Kensington editor. It came out in '93 and I've sold over 30 since. With numerous rejections in between.
Right now, I'm writing books I've wanted to write for three years, Romantic Thrillers. Think Peacemaker or Chain Reaction with a little more romance in them. Lots of action and danger. After writing books in 5 sub genres of romance, (I get bored easily) this new one is the chance for me to use all this military knowledge I've stored up for years. I've fired weapons, rappelled, ridden in an Armored Personnel Carrier, and did some Scuba diving in the East China Sea. It hasn't been boring, and because I write, it never will be.
Now that my Sergeant Major husband is retired, and my sons are grown and towering over their mother, we get to stay in one place.
How average. I love it. When I feel the itch to move every 3 years, I just redecorate.
Well, its time for me to get back to work. Thanks for visiting. Take a look around the site, drop me a note, even read the first chapter of a new novel, if you like. It's out there for you, the reader. I wouldn't be loving my job if you weren't
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 7, 2008
Finally, I thought, a Dragon One book.
Hit Hard is Book 3 in the Dragon One series. It had all the ingredients of a thrilling ride when I read the synopsis and I'm still shaking my head in puzzlement as to what happened to that promising story.
The start was confusing and though I read the first four chapters twice, I still found it vague and impossible to follow. Having loved Naked Truth, I was so pleased to discover an auto-buy at last. That elation was short-lived after I found Perfect Weapon rather mediocre. Now, with Hit Hard, Fetzer has become an auto-avoid. A pity, indeed, as the types of stories she writes are exactly what I like.
What was wrong for me in Hit Hard? Perhaps I wasn't ready for the change of tone. I loved the edgy, serious tone of Naked Truth but Hit Hard came dangerously close to chick lit. The heroine was irritating and the scenes involving her were farcical. Since I love the romance-adventure genre, the thought of agents, weapons and gems together in one story was irresistible and Hit Hard should have been a hit with me. Unfortunately, it was simply messy and pretentious and was neither a romantic suspense nor a romantic comedy. Like Fetzer was trying too hard after Naked Truth and lost her way somewhere, forgetting which genre she was writing for.
There were also a major error in the book about the countries and people which I found inexcusable (just google it, people) even if an author had never set foot in Sri Lanka.
Hit Hard is Book 3 in the Dragon One series. It had all the ingredients of a thrilling ride when I read the synopsis and I'm still shaking my head in puzzlement as to what happened to that promising story.
The start was confusing and though I read the first four chapters twice, I still found it vague and impossible to follow. Having loved Naked Truth, I was so pleased to discover an auto-buy at last. That elation was short-lived after I found Perfect Weapon rather mediocre. Now, with Hit Hard, Fetzer has become an auto-avoid. A pity, indeed, as the types of stories she writes are exactly what I like.
What was wrong for me in Hit Hard? Perhaps I wasn't ready for the change of tone. I loved the edgy, serious tone of Naked Truth but Hit Hard came dangerously close to chick lit. The heroine was irritating and the scenes involving her were farcical. Since I love the romance-adventure genre, the thought of agents, weapons and gems together in one story was irresistible and Hit Hard should have been a hit with me. Unfortunately, it was simply messy and pretentious and was neither a romantic suspense nor a romantic comedy. Like Fetzer was trying too hard after Naked Truth and lost her way somewhere, forgetting which genre she was writing for.
There were also a major error in the book about the countries and people which I found inexcusable (just google it, people) even if an author had never set foot in Sri Lanka.
November 30, 2011
I started out liking this book, it reminded me of Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark. The dialogue was snappy, a bit over the top, but funny. Until I hit around page 200. Then the whole thing just became tedious and boring. I felt like I was slogging through in the effort to get to the end. There were so many POV changes that I got tired of trying to remember who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. The dialogue wasn't funny anymore, it was irritating. Around page 300, I had to convince myself to just finish the darn thing since I didn't have that much farther to go. I felt cheated instead of satisfied when I did finally reach the end, mainly because the supposed HEA just didn't pay off for me. All that work I did for such a little return, you know? I usually really like Amy Fetzer's books, but this one just didn't do it for me.
October 4, 2012
3.5 stars. Good, action-y, ridiculous story. Square-jawed good-guy Americans, evil diplomats, WMDs, exotic locales - it could have been great. There were some editorial issues though, some punctuation that made no sense, POV jumping, and sentence fragments galore (and I know from sentence fragments). Plus it was a bit too much like the previous book in this series which made parts of it predictable. Anyway: good, could have been better.
January 28, 2021
I realized after finishing this book that it is #2 of a series, but the story can definitely stand alone. From the very beginning this book was non-stop action! There was so much going on that I found it to be a quick read.
The only negative for me was that there were so many different characters and groups (CIA, FBI, Terrorist groups, ect...) to keep track of that it became a little confusing, especially since each chapter would cover multiple storylines. I found myself backtracking and rereading to clarify who was who.
However, the main characters are engaging and the female lead has many layers and is someone we all can identify with in one way or another. Hey, what woman wouldn't lust after an independantly contracted hot ex-marine on a top secret mission that she coincidentally crosses paths with? ;)
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
My rating scale
⭐️ Terrible in every way
⭐️⭐️ Meh
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent, will cause book hangover
The only negative for me was that there were so many different characters and groups (CIA, FBI, Terrorist groups, ect...) to keep track of that it became a little confusing, especially since each chapter would cover multiple storylines. I found myself backtracking and rereading to clarify who was who.
However, the main characters are engaging and the female lead has many layers and is someone we all can identify with in one way or another. Hey, what woman wouldn't lust after an independantly contracted hot ex-marine on a top secret mission that she coincidentally crosses paths with? ;)
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
My rating scale
⭐️ Terrible in every way
⭐️⭐️ Meh
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent, will cause book hangover
February 28, 2016
So good. I particularly liked how smart Viva was and how once the guys realized what she knew, they accepted her comments and ideas and then put her plan into place. Sam was fabulous - he was attracted to her, but not sleazy about it, and very willing to think about long term. No manho or commitment-phobe here. They are open with their affection too, but thankfully no scenes of them being intimate in public or the other guys seeing her under clothed.
The suspense was very suspenseful! Lots of characters to keep track of, foreign names, deep undercover and double crossers, so you have to work at it a bit, but the story flowed and there was just one main plot which helped.
My first Amy Fetzer, but I'll be going back for more.
The suspense was very suspenseful! Lots of characters to keep track of, foreign names, deep undercover and double crossers, so you have to work at it a bit, but the story flowed and there was just one main plot which helped.
My first Amy Fetzer, but I'll be going back for more.
February 14, 2014
1.5 stars.
I really thought Ms Fetzer would improve on this one and the reviews for the rest of the series tells the same disapponting story. I don't even want to finish this series.
Darn, I really wanted to like this author but she did not seem to take note much of what everyone was critisizing (constructively, mind you) about and just motored on mistake after mistake (bad character developments, shelving it as romance with barely to none-at all romance, ricochet POV's and the editing and grammer errors etc.)
There is so much potential yet no move to improve.
Dissappointing!!!
I really thought Ms Fetzer would improve on this one and the reviews for the rest of the series tells the same disapponting story. I don't even want to finish this series.
Darn, I really wanted to like this author but she did not seem to take note much of what everyone was critisizing (constructively, mind you) about and just motored on mistake after mistake (bad character developments, shelving it as romance with barely to none-at all romance, ricochet POV's and the editing and grammer errors etc.)
There is so much potential yet no move to improve.
Dissappointing!!!
October 18, 2011
I Liked this book, but I have to admit it was hard to follow at times. There were so many players and the names were foreign. I got easily confused. There was alot of jumping back and forth with time. One thing would happen then then next section would be prior to that one that you just read. It was one of those books that you got in the end and all was cleared up but you stay somewhat confused throughout the whole book.
July 12, 2012
Fetzer writes about what she 'knows'- Marines and ex-Marines. With that in mind, I wonder what our Marines really do overseas! Okay, it's fiction, so you have to take things with a grain of salt. Viva was a fun character at times, but she needed to be written more consistently. It's like Viva goes from not knowing something and then BAM!! she knows it. Lots of characters to keep track of and figure out if they are really the good guys or not.
August 29, 2013
The book was intriguing, however I am spoiled with my Kindle. I had to read a paperback of this book because it is the only book in this series not published in e-format. Why publish the first, third, fourth and fifth book in e-format and not the second. Also, first book offered at a reduced price, the final books in the series cost over $9.00 with tax. Who thinks the cost of e-books are getting exorbitant?
November 5, 2013
I loved this book and I wish there was some sort of sequal! The main characters viva and Sam are so intensely into each other you can feel all the emotion jumping to you right off the page. I love witty characters and they all have a bit o' wit especially in some of the dangers scenes it lightens the mood just enough for you to crack a smile even when they're getting shot at! A good read for anyone who loves action romance!
Read
June 13, 2008This is the story of Viva who is on an archeological dig when she finds an artifact that the local royal family will kill to get. While on a mission of his own, Sam rescues Viva and they flee together. This story reads similar to an Indiana Jones adventure. I do like the heroine because she is spicy and cool under fire. I liked the snappy comebacks.
June 26, 2011
Excellent! Lots of action, international intrigue, border of the seat suspense and a lovely love story. The hero is Sam Wyatt, tall, dark, dangerous and Texan! She is called Viva which is apt, cos it means lively in Spanish, and she was, gutsy, mouthy and brave. I loved that she talks non stop in the most intense moments, very funny.
June 2, 2013
I really liked this book. It was fast paced and the characters were likeable. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the fact that it was sometimes hard to figure out which character was speaking. Also the author jumped back and forth between so many characters it was hard to keep track of them all.
May 27, 2011
This book was so great!
With the rightful dose of action, romance, bad guys, undercover lies, SEX yeah, fun & a lot of surprises.
This one is a favorite. I absolutely love military theme romance, and Amy J Fetzer have such a singularity with her characters, that in no way I couldn't like!
With the rightful dose of action, romance, bad guys, undercover lies, SEX yeah, fun & a lot of surprises.
This one is a favorite. I absolutely love military theme romance, and Amy J Fetzer have such a singularity with her characters, that in no way I couldn't like!
August 25, 2012
Not a bad story. Characters are not well fleshed out and Viva seems a little flighty. Hard to take her seriously when she jokes while in danger. The Team of ex-military operatives has some good moments when they are in action. Enjoyable read but won't read more unless they are cheap.
August 28, 2010
good read, militaristic romance in the Dragon One series
Dragon One
1. Naked Truth (2005)
2. Hit Hard (2006)
3. Come as You Are (2007)
4. Fight Fire with Wire (2009)
5. Damage Control (2010)
Dragon One
1. Naked Truth (2005)
2. Hit Hard (2006)
3. Come as You Are (2007)
4. Fight Fire with Wire (2009)
5. Damage Control (2010)
February 8, 2009
A really good book about boy and something happens in his life that is so unexpected could it change his whole family life forever?????!!!!!?????
June 21, 2009
The 2nd of the "Dragon One" series...another fun, sexy thrill ride...Indiana Jonesish perils and escapes...not as fun as the 1st in the series!!!
to-read-don-t-own-yet
October 27, 2010Dragon One #2
July 1, 2012
Too many characters to keep track of in this book. And it doesn't help that they have names you can't hold onto. Two thumbs down.
September 11, 2016
Analogue was bad, dated, and stupid. I got lost with details and terminology.
April 12, 2008
unbelievable action!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews