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ACRO #5
Tempting the Fire
EXTREME HEAT. EXTREME HUNGER.
A JUNGLE EDEN ABLAZE WITH TEMPTATION.
Deep in the Brazilian rain forest, a team of Navy SEALs has been nearly wiped out by something sinister and superhuman, sending shock waves through the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO). Now ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West head to the world’s most unforgiving jungle to find and kill a mythical monstrosity with a taste for human blood. But to succeed in their mission, they will need the help of two men, each hiding his own dark secret.
Sela is an expert on cryptozoology with a sideline skill that could prove invaluable: When she makes love to a man, she engulfs his innermost thoughts. Teamed with Marlena, Sela makes contact with the lone SEAL survivor, Chance McCormack. Meanwhile, Logan Mills, the man who rescued Chance, leads his private company on a hunt that has nothing to do with saving lives. Soon, Sela will put her supernatural charms to work on Logan, determined to extract information about the creature they are seeking. But in this sweat-drenched realm of danger and deception, Logan is more than just a passive target. He has the power to lead a highly trained seducer into a jungle without any rules, without any limits—and with no end to the heat.
A JUNGLE EDEN ABLAZE WITH TEMPTATION.
Deep in the Brazilian rain forest, a team of Navy SEALs has been nearly wiped out by something sinister and superhuman, sending shock waves through the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO). Now ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West head to the world’s most unforgiving jungle to find and kill a mythical monstrosity with a taste for human blood. But to succeed in their mission, they will need the help of two men, each hiding his own dark secret.
Sela is an expert on cryptozoology with a sideline skill that could prove invaluable: When she makes love to a man, she engulfs his innermost thoughts. Teamed with Marlena, Sela makes contact with the lone SEAL survivor, Chance McCormack. Meanwhile, Logan Mills, the man who rescued Chance, leads his private company on a hunt that has nothing to do with saving lives. Soon, Sela will put her supernatural charms to work on Logan, determined to extract information about the creature they are seeking. But in this sweat-drenched realm of danger and deception, Logan is more than just a passive target. He has the power to lead a highly trained seducer into a jungle without any rules, without any limits—and with no end to the heat.
362 pages, Trade Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
23 people are currently reading
1340 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Croft
15 books606 followersSydney Croft is the alter-ego of two published authors who came together to blend their very different writing interests into adventurous tales of erotic paranormal fiction. Together, they developed a world where people with extraordinary abilities, like the power to control storms, could live and work with others like them. The series has been described as "Erotica meets the X-Men," and is unique in its own "erotic super hero romance" niche.
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 14, 2015
I didn't feel ANY romance in this book.
Started off with a bang and I was so looking forward to reading about hunting down a chupacabra in the Venezuelan jungle, but a few things turned me off from liking the main characters. First and foremost, both the main heroines were active/former "Seducers" for ACRO. That's a prostitute. Reading their thoughts and how doing that job messed with them, mentally, and seeing how ACRO still sent them out to have sex and still uses "Seducers" bugged me. Top that with them being called "whores" and treated as such by their heroes didn't sit well with me.
As usual, there were several stories running in this ACRO saga:
The main characters were Sela Kahne (former Seducer, now, cryptozoologist) and Logan Mills (former SEAL, now co-owner of a weapons company that got in bed with ITOR Corp). Logan made my tortured hero shelf, but also my hard to like shelf. He had his good moments, but they were few and far between. Sela's physical appearance was never described in the book. Did I miss that? She'd been through some awful experiences and it just didn't jive that she became a "Seducer."
Two characters I would have liked to have read more about were Marlena West (former secretary for ACRO with love-sex curse) and Chance McCormack (active duty SEAL with special abilities). I assume that is them on the cover. It did not make any sense to me that based on Marlena's curse, she became a "Seducer." That was dumb. Also, she sure slept a lot through the book. Chance seemed like a good guy, but how he treated Marlena when he found out what she did for ACRO bugged me.
The third story that ran through this book was (more) about Creed and Annika. I grew to detest Annika's character. How she burst into Devlin's office--acting like a spoiled brat. How she reacted to the "problem" she and Creed had. For a soldier who wanted to be thought of as tough, her actions had her more of throwing tantrums in my opinion. I despised how these two acted and thought their "problem" was drawn out much too long.
As we've seen in each book in this series, there's always a little something about Devlin's current relationship (male-male). This had a small bit of him and Gabe's troubles.
Finally, I thought it was dumb how the two girls with "Seducer" skills were sent in the jungle to spy on a group of men who were hunting a chupacabra. I thought it was silly, how Devlin sent "backup" way after the fact and if more hadn't snuck on the plane, they probably wouldn't have come out of it as they did. I thought the way the backup "handled" the situation was stupid, too.
Yes, this was an erotic book. Some rough sex. Main heroins were called and treated like whores by the main heroes. It bugged me that when a hero touched them, no matter how mad or hurt they were, they couldn't wait to get it on. Stupid.
Started off with a bang and I was so looking forward to reading about hunting down a chupacabra in the Venezuelan jungle, but a few things turned me off from liking the main characters. First and foremost, both the main heroines were active/former "Seducers" for ACRO. That's a prostitute. Reading their thoughts and how doing that job messed with them, mentally, and seeing how ACRO still sent them out to have sex and still uses "Seducers" bugged me. Top that with them being called "whores" and treated as such by their heroes didn't sit well with me.
As usual, there were several stories running in this ACRO saga:
The main characters were Sela Kahne (former Seducer, now, cryptozoologist) and Logan Mills (former SEAL, now co-owner of a weapons company that got in bed with ITOR Corp). Logan made my tortured hero shelf, but also my hard to like shelf. He had his good moments, but they were few and far between. Sela's physical appearance was never described in the book. Did I miss that? She'd been through some awful experiences and it just didn't jive that she became a "Seducer."
Two characters I would have liked to have read more about were Marlena West (former secretary for ACRO with love-sex curse) and Chance McCormack (active duty SEAL with special abilities). I assume that is them on the cover. It did not make any sense to me that based on Marlena's curse, she became a "Seducer." That was dumb. Also, she sure slept a lot through the book. Chance seemed like a good guy, but how he treated Marlena when he found out what she did for ACRO bugged me.
The third story that ran through this book was (more) about Creed and Annika. I grew to detest Annika's character. How she burst into Devlin's office--acting like a spoiled brat. How she reacted to the "problem" she and Creed had. For a soldier who wanted to be thought of as tough, her actions had her more of throwing tantrums in my opinion. I despised how these two acted and thought their "problem" was drawn out much too long.
As we've seen in each book in this series, there's always a little something about Devlin's current relationship (male-male). This had a small bit of him and Gabe's troubles.
Finally, I thought it was dumb how the two girls with "Seducer" skills were sent in the jungle to spy on a group of men who were hunting a chupacabra. I thought it was silly, how Devlin sent "backup" way after the fact and if more hadn't snuck on the plane, they probably wouldn't have come out of it as they did. I thought the way the backup "handled" the situation was stupid, too.
Yes, this was an erotic book. Some rough sex. Main heroins were called and treated like whores by the main heroes. It bugged me that when a hero touched them, no matter how mad or hurt they were, they couldn't wait to get it on. Stupid.
August 9, 2010
4 ½ stars – Paranormal Romance/Erotica
I’m a big fan of the Sydney Croft, pseudonym for powerhouse writing duo Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler, ACRO series and although this wasn’t my favorite, it still gave me the erotic thrill ride I was expecting. It’s jam-packed with high-octane action and sweltering hot jungle lovin’. Seriously, there’s a lot of frantic, angry, sweaty, rough, smokin’ hot sex in this between the two main couples, Logan and Sela and Chance and Marlena, and also with ongoing sideline couple, Annika and Creed, who’s growing relationship is shaken up by an unexpected surprise. There’s sex against the wall, up against a tent pole, on a cave floor, on a cot, on the ground, in a car, in a helicopter...it’s pretty much like a smut version of Green Eggs and Ham, LOL! And most of the time, the H/H can’t get into each others’ BDUs fast enough, so there’s a lot of frenetic clothes tugging and ripping, which heated things up about another 10 degrees.
There isn’t much relationship development and the ending was somewhat abrupt with no epilogue, so I knocked off half a star, but everything is ramping up powerfully to what promises to be an epic final showdown between ACRO and Itor in the next, last?, book. So although it’s not my favorite in the ACRO series, Tempting the Fire was still an entertaining, lava hot read that I enjoyed. 4 ½ stars!
I’m a big fan of the Sydney Croft, pseudonym for powerhouse writing duo Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler, ACRO series and although this wasn’t my favorite, it still gave me the erotic thrill ride I was expecting. It’s jam-packed with high-octane action and sweltering hot jungle lovin’. Seriously, there’s a lot of frantic, angry, sweaty, rough, smokin’ hot sex in this between the two main couples, Logan and Sela and Chance and Marlena, and also with ongoing sideline couple, Annika and Creed, who’s growing relationship is shaken up by an unexpected surprise. There’s sex against the wall, up against a tent pole, on a cave floor, on a cot, on the ground, in a car, in a helicopter...it’s pretty much like a smut version of Green Eggs and Ham, LOL! And most of the time, the H/H can’t get into each others’ BDUs fast enough, so there’s a lot of frenetic clothes tugging and ripping, which heated things up about another 10 degrees.
There isn’t much relationship development and the ending was somewhat abrupt with no epilogue, so I knocked off half a star, but everything is ramping up powerfully to what promises to be an epic final showdown between ACRO and Itor in the next, last?, book. So although it’s not my favorite in the ACRO series, Tempting the Fire was still an entertaining, lava hot read that I enjoyed. 4 ½ stars!
March 20, 2012
This book is not as fast paced as the rest, but thank goodness, it's just as hot in the lovin' department. ;)
November 13, 2021
Two stories at the jungle of Amazon:
1. Marlena (Devlin's assistant who will always fall in love with a man who she sleeps with while the man will loathe her) and Chance (a half-man half-beast)
2. Sela (ex-Seducer cryptozoologist, who can read people's mind during orgasm) and Logan (half-man half-machine)
1. Marlena (Devlin's assistant who will always fall in love with a man who she sleeps with while the man will loathe her) and Chance (a half-man half-beast)
2. Sela (ex-Seducer cryptozoologist, who can read people's mind during orgasm) and Logan (half-man half-machine)
July 9, 2010
Fantastic Characters and Creative Writing Keep This Series Burning
Tempting the Fire is the penultimate entry in Sydney Croft's immensely successful and truly unique ACRO series, about a CIA-like agency inside the U.S. government, whose agents have fascinating special abilities. This book has two couples sharing the stage: first is Sela, an ACRO agent with an ability to read thoughts and memories during sex and a background in studying extraordinary animals, and Logan, the heir to a huge weapons corporation who has a secret of his own when it comes to special abilities since he is virtually a human machine due to a previous accident. The second couple is Marlena, who has been a really interesting secondary character in earlier books because she was cursed as a young woman to fall madly in love with anyone she sleeps with but who will never receive love in return, and Chance, a Navy SEAL who is the sole survivor of his team after being demolished by a mythical creature deep in the Amazon. The mission of the two female ACRO agents is to capture this mythological creature, as low profile and with as little interference as possible. Of course, Logan's company is there with the same purpose and Chance is contending with a huge problem of his own after his encounter with the creature, so together they stir up lots of interference. Trust is definitely the common theme throughout this book. Then there's Itor, ACRO's rival agency, their evil counterpart, who always seems to be involved.
Most of the book takes place in the wild forests of the Amazon, and the setting was vivid enough to make us feel as though we're there. I really enjoyed that there were two main couples. Sela and Logan have a very passionate relationship from the beginning, and I liked their undeniable chemistry, even as they really struggled to trust each other with so many secrets between them. A scene of hate sex in a cave was especially hot. Meanwhile, Marlena and Chance are two really scarred individuals who find comfort in each other, even when they don't really understand it. I felt that the authors came up with a really creative way to handle Marlena's curse, and as a character I'd been rooting for, I was happy to see her finally find another human being she could come to really love. And once again, Sydney Croft seamlessly weaves sex into the agents' abilities in new and different ways that allow this series to explore the realm of erotic romance in a tasteful, intriguing way.
Then there's the secondary plot between Annika and Creed, who are absolutely my favorite part of the ACRO series. I was really pleased to see them get a significant storyline in this book after being on the back-burner in the last book. They have always felt like a very real couple to me, despite the paranormal elements, and their intricate, intense relationship continues to reach new depths as they navigate their happily ever after, while it's really satisfying to see them developing and growing together. Other characters from previous books also make appearances, which is something I've always loved about this series, that we still get to revisit our old favorites.
There is one book to come in this series, which will be a grand finale and likely the final showdown between ACRO and Itor. But the best thing about this series is how these authors creatively implement new, amazing abilities and the universal elements that make up great characters in a way that always feels fresh and always keeps the reader engaged. I don't want to think about this series ending, but I can't wait to see what the build up to the end will bring.
Tempting the Fire is the penultimate entry in Sydney Croft's immensely successful and truly unique ACRO series, about a CIA-like agency inside the U.S. government, whose agents have fascinating special abilities. This book has two couples sharing the stage: first is Sela, an ACRO agent with an ability to read thoughts and memories during sex and a background in studying extraordinary animals, and Logan, the heir to a huge weapons corporation who has a secret of his own when it comes to special abilities since he is virtually a human machine due to a previous accident. The second couple is Marlena, who has been a really interesting secondary character in earlier books because she was cursed as a young woman to fall madly in love with anyone she sleeps with but who will never receive love in return, and Chance, a Navy SEAL who is the sole survivor of his team after being demolished by a mythical creature deep in the Amazon. The mission of the two female ACRO agents is to capture this mythological creature, as low profile and with as little interference as possible. Of course, Logan's company is there with the same purpose and Chance is contending with a huge problem of his own after his encounter with the creature, so together they stir up lots of interference. Trust is definitely the common theme throughout this book. Then there's Itor, ACRO's rival agency, their evil counterpart, who always seems to be involved.
Most of the book takes place in the wild forests of the Amazon, and the setting was vivid enough to make us feel as though we're there. I really enjoyed that there were two main couples. Sela and Logan have a very passionate relationship from the beginning, and I liked their undeniable chemistry, even as they really struggled to trust each other with so many secrets between them. A scene of hate sex in a cave was especially hot. Meanwhile, Marlena and Chance are two really scarred individuals who find comfort in each other, even when they don't really understand it. I felt that the authors came up with a really creative way to handle Marlena's curse, and as a character I'd been rooting for, I was happy to see her finally find another human being she could come to really love. And once again, Sydney Croft seamlessly weaves sex into the agents' abilities in new and different ways that allow this series to explore the realm of erotic romance in a tasteful, intriguing way.
Then there's the secondary plot between Annika and Creed, who are absolutely my favorite part of the ACRO series. I was really pleased to see them get a significant storyline in this book after being on the back-burner in the last book. They have always felt like a very real couple to me, despite the paranormal elements, and their intricate, intense relationship continues to reach new depths as they navigate their happily ever after, while it's really satisfying to see them developing and growing together. Other characters from previous books also make appearances, which is something I've always loved about this series, that we still get to revisit our old favorites.
There is one book to come in this series, which will be a grand finale and likely the final showdown between ACRO and Itor. But the best thing about this series is how these authors creatively implement new, amazing abilities and the universal elements that make up great characters in a way that always feels fresh and always keeps the reader engaged. I don't want to think about this series ending, but I can't wait to see what the build up to the end will bring.
September 10, 2015
I liked this book a lot more than I expected. When I first read the description I wasn't too crazy about it. In the previous books we never get to see much of Marlena, other than she was Dev's secretary and sometimes lover, and she is cursed with falling in love with any man she has sex with, but her curse also makes sure that that man could never love her.
Chase & Marlena
Marlena is now trained as a Seducer and she is sent on a mission to the brazilian forest to help Sela figure out what's going on with a missing military guy. She is supposed to infiltrate this camp and seduce the head of the operation to find out what's going on and free Chase. But Chase has been infected with a "chupacabra" type virus and he is now turning when angered. They also mate for life, and Chase recognizes Marlena as his mate when he first sees her.
Sela & Logan
Sela is the expert on chupacabras, even though she doesn't believe in them. She's worked for ACRO for a few years, and she has a special ability to read proples minds and see into their past while they orgasm. So she's back up in case Marlena can't get answers out of Logan. But Marlena doesn't even stand a chase. Logan wants Sela from the first moment he sees her. Even though Logan works for a private company that is supplying weapons to ACRO's enemies, it's run by Logan's father, which means he has little control over it. And he owes them his life, as he was injured almost beyond repair while in the military and they saved his life by making him part machine.
Dev & Gabe
We don't get to see much of them in this book to my liking. Dev is a bit disappointed with Gabe's lack of interest and dedication to ACRO and learning to control his abilities, and Gabe decides he has to prove himself by doing something majorly stupid.
Creed & Annika
I love these two. Have I said that before? Yeah? Well, I'll say it again. I love them!!!! First Annika is jealous because apparently Creed had sex with Sela (way before Annika), and then we get a *huge* surprise!!!! Won't give anything out here, but this is a big one and very emotional.
I'm really looking forward to the next book, which I'm sad will be the last in the series. Are you sure you don't want to write more???
Chase & Marlena
Marlena is now trained as a Seducer and she is sent on a mission to the brazilian forest to help Sela figure out what's going on with a missing military guy. She is supposed to infiltrate this camp and seduce the head of the operation to find out what's going on and free Chase. But Chase has been infected with a "chupacabra" type virus and he is now turning when angered. They also mate for life, and Chase recognizes Marlena as his mate when he first sees her.
Sela & Logan
Sela is the expert on chupacabras, even though she doesn't believe in them. She's worked for ACRO for a few years, and she has a special ability to read proples minds and see into their past while they orgasm. So she's back up in case Marlena can't get answers out of Logan. But Marlena doesn't even stand a chase. Logan wants Sela from the first moment he sees her. Even though Logan works for a private company that is supplying weapons to ACRO's enemies, it's run by Logan's father, which means he has little control over it. And he owes them his life, as he was injured almost beyond repair while in the military and they saved his life by making him part machine.
Dev & Gabe
We don't get to see much of them in this book to my liking. Dev is a bit disappointed with Gabe's lack of interest and dedication to ACRO and learning to control his abilities, and Gabe decides he has to prove himself by doing something majorly stupid.
Creed & Annika
I love these two. Have I said that before? Yeah? Well, I'll say it again. I love them!!!! First Annika is jealous because apparently Creed had sex with Sela (way before Annika), and then we get a *huge* surprise!!!! Won't give anything out here, but this is a big one and very emotional.
I'm really looking forward to the next book, which I'm sad will be the last in the series. Are you sure you don't want to write more???
August 9, 2010
aaahhh...the wonderfully sexual world of ACRO...oh how i've missed it!! I have to admit, that I was a little bit skeptical at first about how this book was going to play out...in every one of the previous ACRO books, there have always been multiple storylines going on..typically there is ONE "main" couple and a couple of backround characters w/ their own storylines going on at the same time. This one was a little bit diff. though... because although it still had the usual backround characters and storylines... it "featured" TWO diff. "main" couples! Well...Sydney Croft..aka the fine writing team of Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler!...did NOT disappoint!!! This one was just as good as all of her previous books!! This series is not your typical PNR w/ a suspencful storyline and a "some" sex...this is a PNR w/ a LOT of sex (really good sex, I might add!) w/ a GREAT action packed storyline! I loved it! I think that Sydney Croft does a great job of melding together multiple storylines into one book w/ out it getting overwhelming! The two main couples were great..it was nice to see poor Marlena finally get her HEA and Sela and Logan were very yummy!!! I also loved that we still got to be a part of Annika and Creed's continuing saga..I LOVE them!!! We also got a good dose of Dev throughout the book too. If you HAVE read and liked the previous books in this series..you should DEFINITELY read this one!..I don't think you'll be disappointed!! If you haven't yet read this series I would highly recommend it for something diff. than your typical PNRs...it's a lot of fun! However, this is def. a series that should be read in the correct reading order because of all of the continuing storylines and characters from previous books.
**I also wanted to say...that although I liked the first book in this series enough to continue on w/ the rest...it was not my fav....I DID, however, thoroughly enjoy all of the rest..this one included!!! :)
**I also wanted to say...that although I liked the first book in this series enough to continue on w/ the rest...it was not my fav....I DID, however, thoroughly enjoy all of the rest..this one included!!! :)
June 9, 2013
This series never lets me down. I put this on my currently-reading shelf, and then other books plus my mood had me not starting it after all. I really don't know what I was thinking. Once I began reading, I remembered why I love this series. All the characters who we have been reading about in previous books excellent new characters who I can't wait to learn more about, plus how all the different story threads are woven together to make a story that is fascinating to read. I don't always like books where there is more then one couple getting together, but these very talented authors manage to do this in a way that I enjoy.
Now that I have read this one, I am eager to finish off the rest of these books, so I see myself reading them shortly.
Now that I have read this one, I am eager to finish off the rest of these books, so I see myself reading them shortly.
July 19, 2022
Sela is a cryptozoologist who studies mythical creatures for ACRO. Marlena has been Dev’s administrative assistant for years until the recent arrival of Gabe. His arrival and her curse to never be loved in return by any man prompted her to go to the Seducer unit for training. For Marlena’s first mission, she joins Sela in the Brazilian rain forest looking for a Chupacabra that’s not only been sited but is attributed for taking down a SEAL team. There they meet Chance who is the only survivor from his SEAL team and Logan who heads up the weapons company that had captured the Chupa before it escaped and attacked the team. In addition to the spicy romance of these two couples, we have updates on couples from the prior books including some who continue to be fairly central characters. It looks like Dev isn’t going to get his own book unless they write more. He’s a compelling main character. We get glimpses of his bi- leaning to mostly gay – love life throughout the series. I wonder how most readers of this series would feel about a book with same sex main characters. Is there an unwritten rule in the romance genre not to stray from a mostly straight series to book with a same sex couple? Anyway, I digress. A fun read. I read the ebook. 4/5
Note: interesting. After I wrote this review, I read ahead to book 6.5 and 7 of this series which seem to be M M romances. Apparently, if there is an unwritten rule, they just went for it. Also interesting is that while the library has books 1-6 (whole numbers only), it doesn't have 7.
Note: interesting. After I wrote this review, I read ahead to book 6.5 and 7 of this series which seem to be M M romances. Apparently, if there is an unwritten rule, they just went for it. Also interesting is that while the library has books 1-6 (whole numbers only), it doesn't have 7.
October 31, 2018
This one was not as smutty as the others. Though it was two for one HEA. Plus some big news at the end!
August 30, 2016
Review originally posted at RabidReads.com.
If you’re not familiar with ACRO series, ACRO is the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. They are a group of people with superhuman abilities. Many of them are former military and the ones that aren’t have a military like training at ACRO. I’ve always thought of them similar to the X-Men and they are even referred to that in this book. ACRO are the good guys. ITOR are the bad guys, also with superhuman abilities. They often are both trying to recruit the same people, though the have different ways they go about recruiting. ITOR isn’t above abducting.
In this book, we have yet another player, GWC, Global Weapon’s Corporation. They are a weapons manufacturer. The owner was never very careful about who he sold his weapons to, until his son in injured and made into a cyborg of sorts (although that term is never used in the book, that is basically what he is). The son, now cyborg, Logan, is former military and is now very involved in the company. He does not like some of the things his father has been doing.
The book starts off with a SEAL team in the jungles of Costa Rica and they are attacked by some sort of monster. ACRO sends down their cryptozoologist and an “assistant” to investigate. They think it has something to do with ITOR. Come to find out, GWC has been working with ITOR and lost a potential weapon in a chupacabra. Yep, you read that right. GWC had found a real chupacabra and they were trying to weaponize it. Logan just wants to recapture it before it does more damage.
Chase is the lone survivor of his SEAL team, but he is not the same. That creature had attacked him. The only reason he survived was because he has always healed way faster than most people. He is also being held prisoner by these GWC guys. Though with his new strength, he is a prisoner only because he is willing. He could break his bonds whenever he wanted.
Sela is the cryptozoologist who ACRO sent to Costa Rica. She actually is a cryptozoologist. She has also been looking for a chupacabra for years. She came to ACRO after she slept with another agent and learned about it. She is a psychic who can read a person when they orgasim. She started off in ACRO as a Seducer until she was beaten by a target, not to mention that the people she was sent after were not good people and the psychic impressions had gotten to her. That was when she asked to move to the cryptozoology department.
Marlena is a character that has been around since the first book. She started off as Dev, the leader of ACRO, assistant and part-time lover. That is until Dev found his true partner in Gabe. Marlena doesn’t have any superhuman powers, but she is cursed. Her sister cursed her never to find love. After she has sex with someone, she falls deeply (like as in stalker crazy) in love with that person, but that person is instantly disgusted by her. She is usually thrown out right after sex with the most angry look on the guy’s face. Dev was the only person to ever sleep with her and still be nice to her, though he didn’t love her, though she was deeply in love with him because of the curse.
So, there is a lot that goes on in this story. Sela and Logan are a couple that comes together. Also Marlena and Chase become a couple. There is also a lot going on with Dev and Gabe have some issues that they must work through. Gabe being new to ACRO and trying to push the rules since he is sleeping with the main guy. There are also a lot of issues between Creed & Annika, who are from a couple that have been feature since the beginning. They have a very interesting relationship that gives new meaning to complicated. We are also introduced to a new bad guy at ITOR, Phoebe/Melanie. They are one in the same person with a split personality. Melanie seems pretty normal, but Phoebe is beyond nuts. We also learn a pretty interesting secret about the two of them (are they two or one, I’m not sure how that works). I will leave the Phoebe/Melanie and tell you that you must read the book if you want to learn more.
I know that this sounds like a lot is going on, and there is. But, it isn’t so much that it is overwhelming. It kept me very interested in the story (which has been hard for me the last few months). This is a really fun series that is completely different from any other PNR series out there. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it. I should also point out that Sydney Croft is an author team of Larissa Ione (an author that I love) and Stephanie Tyler (an author that I still need to try outside of this series). So if you’ve tried either of these two authors, know that you will like these books too.
If you’re not familiar with ACRO series, ACRO is the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. They are a group of people with superhuman abilities. Many of them are former military and the ones that aren’t have a military like training at ACRO. I’ve always thought of them similar to the X-Men and they are even referred to that in this book. ACRO are the good guys. ITOR are the bad guys, also with superhuman abilities. They often are both trying to recruit the same people, though the have different ways they go about recruiting. ITOR isn’t above abducting.
In this book, we have yet another player, GWC, Global Weapon’s Corporation. They are a weapons manufacturer. The owner was never very careful about who he sold his weapons to, until his son in injured and made into a cyborg of sorts (although that term is never used in the book, that is basically what he is). The son, now cyborg, Logan, is former military and is now very involved in the company. He does not like some of the things his father has been doing.
The book starts off with a SEAL team in the jungles of Costa Rica and they are attacked by some sort of monster. ACRO sends down their cryptozoologist and an “assistant” to investigate. They think it has something to do with ITOR. Come to find out, GWC has been working with ITOR and lost a potential weapon in a chupacabra. Yep, you read that right. GWC had found a real chupacabra and they were trying to weaponize it. Logan just wants to recapture it before it does more damage.
Chase is the lone survivor of his SEAL team, but he is not the same. That creature had attacked him. The only reason he survived was because he has always healed way faster than most people. He is also being held prisoner by these GWC guys. Though with his new strength, he is a prisoner only because he is willing. He could break his bonds whenever he wanted.
Sela is the cryptozoologist who ACRO sent to Costa Rica. She actually is a cryptozoologist. She has also been looking for a chupacabra for years. She came to ACRO after she slept with another agent and learned about it. She is a psychic who can read a person when they orgasim. She started off in ACRO as a Seducer until she was beaten by a target, not to mention that the people she was sent after were not good people and the psychic impressions had gotten to her. That was when she asked to move to the cryptozoology department.
Marlena is a character that has been around since the first book. She started off as Dev, the leader of ACRO, assistant and part-time lover. That is until Dev found his true partner in Gabe. Marlena doesn’t have any superhuman powers, but she is cursed. Her sister cursed her never to find love. After she has sex with someone, she falls deeply (like as in stalker crazy) in love with that person, but that person is instantly disgusted by her. She is usually thrown out right after sex with the most angry look on the guy’s face. Dev was the only person to ever sleep with her and still be nice to her, though he didn’t love her, though she was deeply in love with him because of the curse.
So, there is a lot that goes on in this story. Sela and Logan are a couple that comes together. Also Marlena and Chase become a couple. There is also a lot going on with Dev and Gabe have some issues that they must work through. Gabe being new to ACRO and trying to push the rules since he is sleeping with the main guy. There are also a lot of issues between Creed & Annika, who are from a couple that have been feature since the beginning. They have a very interesting relationship that gives new meaning to complicated. We are also introduced to a new bad guy at ITOR, Phoebe/Melanie. They are one in the same person with a split personality. Melanie seems pretty normal, but Phoebe is beyond nuts. We also learn a pretty interesting secret about the two of them (are they two or one, I’m not sure how that works). I will leave the Phoebe/Melanie and tell you that you must read the book if you want to learn more.
I know that this sounds like a lot is going on, and there is. But, it isn’t so much that it is overwhelming. It kept me very interested in the story (which has been hard for me the last few months). This is a really fun series that is completely different from any other PNR series out there. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it. I should also point out that Sydney Croft is an author team of Larissa Ione (an author that I love) and Stephanie Tyler (an author that I still need to try outside of this series). So if you’ve tried either of these two authors, know that you will like these books too.
September 15, 2010
Well, I finally finished this book! I hate when real life gets in the way of my reading. So unfair!
Anyway, all the interruptions did not deter my interest in it. I LOVED this book. I was already a big Marlena fan. But Marlena going out on a mission in the jungles of South America had me scratching my head. Marlena? Jungle? The whole notion was shocking and impossible, in my mind, for her to carry off. But the way it played out proved to be fascinating, captivating. I loved the new character, Chance. He was such a joy to read about.
Also meeting Sela, and finding a connection to Creed, thus creating problems for him with Annika when they already had enough problems to make themselves crazy, was a nice surprise in the book, as well as Logan, who supplied us with suspicion, mystery, and the question of deception. Usually, the story centers around one couple, but this book had two central couples. Such fun! Having two males and two females with the banter and tension and sexual encounters made it all the more enjoyable.
The surprises were enthralling. I found myself gasping out loud at the shocker revealed regarding Creed and Annika and the disclosure about Gabe. Then the very last page of the book had me shouting, "Oh my! I didn't see that one coming!" Great book, and so well written that it made me want the next book in the series immediately. Highly recommend this series!
Anyway, all the interruptions did not deter my interest in it. I LOVED this book. I was already a big Marlena fan. But Marlena going out on a mission in the jungles of South America had me scratching my head. Marlena? Jungle? The whole notion was shocking and impossible, in my mind, for her to carry off. But the way it played out proved to be fascinating, captivating. I loved the new character, Chance. He was such a joy to read about.
Also meeting Sela, and finding a connection to Creed, thus creating problems for him with Annika when they already had enough problems to make themselves crazy, was a nice surprise in the book, as well as Logan, who supplied us with suspicion, mystery, and the question of deception. Usually, the story centers around one couple, but this book had two central couples. Such fun! Having two males and two females with the banter and tension and sexual encounters made it all the more enjoyable.
The surprises were enthralling. I found myself gasping out loud at the shocker revealed regarding Creed and Annika and the disclosure about Gabe. Then the very last page of the book had me shouting, "Oh my! I didn't see that one coming!" Great book, and so well written that it made me want the next book in the series immediately. Highly recommend this series!
November 23, 2011
THUD! Wooooooow. Maybe it's been too long since I read erotica. Well, great addition to the series. But, to be honest, I didn't like the Sela/Logan thread, or the Annika/Creed thread, or actually, the Dev/Gabe thread either. I've never really cared much for Annika and Creed, and there wasn't very much Dev and Gabe. And I just liked Marlena more than Sela. (And how do you pronounce that anyway? See-la? Sella? What a weird name.) The reason I wanted to read this one so badly was for Marlena. I swear, it has nothing to do with the fact that my first name is the second half of her name, so it's that much easier for me to imagine Chance saying Lena instead....anyways. Umm. Plus Sela was kinda a bee itch before, so I didn't really like her. And I've always been more a fan of Beauty and the Beast stories, and since Chance turns into a monster he totally counts as a Beast. Reminds me of that Big Bang Theory episode where Leonard first sleeps with Leslie and Penny and Sheldon are standing in the hallway listening and Leslie says "Oh Leonard you magnificent beast." in just the flattest tone possible. *snicker* So, yeah, #2 is still my fave in this series with #4 as a close second. We'll see about 6 once I get my greedy fingers on it.
October 9, 2010
This book was interesting ~ and confusing ~ in that there were two main couples. Either could have made a good main story but it was also nice that they meshed together ~ although, going back and forth seemed to take away from the flow of the story. Then, you get to deal with the addition of many new characters and it was a lot to process. It definitely made it out to seem that the next book would be about Stryker and Phoebe/Melanie and what will happen between ACRO and Itor.
What do you say about a book when you like the back characters more? I love reading about Annika and Creed and Dev and Oz/Gabe. That made the whole book for me and I will continue reading the series just to find out more about them!
This book is more of a 3.5 than a 4. I do have to say that I could have done without the "splashing". It grossed me out!!
What do you say about a book when you like the back characters more? I love reading about Annika and Creed and Dev and Oz/Gabe. That made the whole book for me and I will continue reading the series just to find out more about them!
This book is more of a 3.5 than a 4. I do have to say that I could have done without the "splashing". It grossed me out!!
August 2, 2010
I love this series a little bit more with each new book. And all that love centers around Creed/Annika and Dev. I always look so forward to seeing where their stories go, it almost unfairly overshadows the main storyline.
But from the start I've hoped for good things for Marlena and it's easy with these books to connect quickly with all the characters. The multiple story lines blend together so well and after learning about everyone's history it's hard not to root for the main couples in this one, Sela/Logan and Marlena/Chance.
And as usual, the end just leaves me wanting the next book, now!
But from the start I've hoped for good things for Marlena and it's easy with these books to connect quickly with all the characters. The multiple story lines blend together so well and after learning about everyone's history it's hard not to root for the main couples in this one, Sela/Logan and Marlena/Chance.
And as usual, the end just leaves me wanting the next book, now!
May 5, 2011
This series continues to be very good. I took a lot of time off between the book before this and this book, but it was okay. They do a good job of giving some background enough that I could remember. I was also pleased to see there weren't too many characters to throw me off. There was definitely the main story then the side story (Creed & Annika) and that was enough. The sex was smoking hot...although I think it's a little sad that it was hotter with the side story than in the main story - because it left me wanting more of Creed! All in all I liked the characters and the story - another success of the series!
August 1, 2010
Yeah, so here's the thing - the writing team behind the ACRO Series ruins me for all other books of this genre. Seriously - there are only a few other authors I know of that do intense and hot steamy sexiness so well!
I knew this was going to be a great read when maybe 15 pages into the book I realized I was taking short breaths (okay, panting), and while I couldn't swear to it because I couldn't stop reading long enough to look - I'm pretty sure my eyes were dilated too!
Yeah baby!
This was a great book, and an excellent series. I'm ready for the next one :)
I knew this was going to be a great read when maybe 15 pages into the book I realized I was taking short breaths (okay, panting), and while I couldn't swear to it because I couldn't stop reading long enough to look - I'm pretty sure my eyes were dilated too!
Yeah baby!
This was a great book, and an excellent series. I'm ready for the next one :)
August 3, 2010
This was a really good book for me, I LOVED it! The team of Sydney Croft left me craving for more at the end of this book. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series to come out.
If you like your book's with lots of action, X-man and X-woman type hero's and villains and loaded with steamy hot sex/love scenes than this series is for you. I have truly enjoyed reading these book's so thank you Tiffany for recommending them to me.
If you like your book's with lots of action, X-man and X-woman type hero's and villains and loaded with steamy hot sex/love scenes than this series is for you. I have truly enjoyed reading these book's so thank you Tiffany for recommending them to me.
August 29, 2010
This was such a good book. I loved the characters in this book as well as the excitement building of knowing that something is going to happen which will be pretty spectacular with Itor and Ani and Creed in the next book. Wow is it just me or is Creed and Logan hot?????? Thanks Sydney for a wonderful new ACRO book. Loved it.
Also the setting was something different. Really got a feel for the hot jungle atmosphere which made for hotter scenes.
Also the setting was something different. Really got a feel for the hot jungle atmosphere which made for hotter scenes.
August 26, 2010
I could not put this book down. It had all the things you would look for in a book, suspense, intimacy, complex relationships, and steamy hot scenes. It was good to visit all the old characters; Creed, Annika, Dev and Marlena.
My only criticism was that I could not visualize what the three new characters looked like; Logan, Chance and Sela, other than that captivating read.
My only criticism was that I could not visualize what the three new characters looked like; Logan, Chance and Sela, other than that captivating read.
August 7, 2010
Hmmmm.
They can do better then that.
Dont get me wrong, i enjoyed it, but it wasnt on the same level as the other ACRO books, romancs, story building, plot and action wise.
I still cant wait for the next one!!!
They can do better then that.
Dont get me wrong, i enjoyed it, but it wasnt on the same level as the other ACRO books, romancs, story building, plot and action wise.
I still cant wait for the next one!!!
September 11, 2020
Great series
This is a twofer, featuring two couples in a life and death struggle in the jungle. As always though, we get bits and pieces of the lives of other ACRO agents throughout, which I really enjoy. In this book we also get to see a bit of the inner workings of the evil ITOR corporation. Foreshadowing anyone?
This is a twofer, featuring two couples in a life and death struggle in the jungle. As always though, we get bits and pieces of the lives of other ACRO agents throughout, which I really enjoy. In this book we also get to see a bit of the inner workings of the evil ITOR corporation. Foreshadowing anyone?
October 17, 2018
I didn’t feel “it” (ie: everything) as much in this book as I had the others... but I’m thinking that’s on me and my mood at the time of reading.
July 21, 2019
Rated 4.2 Stars
October 10, 2019
i do;t know anything about this book but i think that it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2012
2.0 Stars
I was really disappointed with the fifth installment in the ACRO series. This book featured two "main" couples: Chance (Navy Seal turned part chupacabra) and Marlena West (Devlin's former secretary turned seducer who's cursed in love); and, Logan (half-man-half-machine and owner of Global Weapons Corp, a sometime supplier of weapons to Itor) and Sela (former Seducer and cryptozoologist and all-around B----).
***CONTAINS SPOILERS***
Chance and Marlena
I have a soft spot for Marlena because of all that she's gone through. She's a deeply caring and compassionate woman and I've been anxiously awaiting her HEA since her first appearance in ACRO. It didn't make much sense to me, however, when Marlena left her job as Dev's secretary to become a Seducer, given her curse to fall madly in love with whomever she sleeps with while he feels nothing but loathing and disgust for her. But whatever. She goes with Sela on a mission to the Amazon where she meets and falls for Chance. Chance is part man (with the ability to heal quickly) part chupacabra after being bitten by said animal in the jungle. At first, I was frustrated with Marlena's weakness. She slept with Chance repeatedly, but remained fearful of his other half. Granted, that half was a seriously scary beast, but still. Not very special agent-ish. Nonetheless, she comes around and, in the end, I enjoyed their story and HEA.
Logan and Sela
I disliked Sela from the start. She was like a bucket of cold water. Her caustic and childish remarks - in the name of "verbal sparring" - were irritating and a total turn-off for me. She lied to Logan for 80% of the book and "whored" (her word) herself out for her job. I just have a hard time getting behind a heroine under such circumstances. If she is so dedicated to her job that she's willing to prostitute herself, I can appreciate her for that: her undying dedication to her JOB. But I won't buy her as 1/2 of a HEA couple. That's a load of BS. Just my humble opinion.
So why didn't I dislike Marlena just as vehemently? I think because 1) she came clean with Chance way earlier in the story; 2) she never tried to defend being a Seducer; and 3) unlike Sela, Marlena does not have the psychic ability to read her lover's mind. Marlena became a Seducer to escape Dev and Gabriel; and, because of her curse (which doesn't make sense to me). Sela, on the other hand, has used her gift for her own personal gain (it's how she gained entry into ARCO); continued to lie to Logan way past the point of necessity; and, refused to take responsibility for the hurt her lies and deception caused him.
The other reason why I dislike Sela so much is because she deceives Logan for so long despite his coming clean with her about his feelings for her, his companies dealings with Itor, and the kidnapping of his sister. When the pressure mounts on her to come clean about her role and who she works for, she continuously strings him along. She refuses to apologize to him or be honest. Instead of taking responsibility for her decisions (including the spying and deceiving), she would twist things around, get angry with Logan (when she had no right to be), and invariably storm off in a huff. In the alternative, she'd have angry sex with him. Bleh! Logan is also part of the problem: Sela treats him like crap and he takes it, which is so not heroic IMHO. But for Chance/Marlena and Creed/Annika, this book would have earned a 0.5 star rating from me. That is how disenchanted I was with Sela and Logan's story. The additional 1.5 stars were a testament to the other main and secondary characters.
I was really disappointed with the fifth installment in the ACRO series. This book featured two "main" couples: Chance (Navy Seal turned part chupacabra) and Marlena West (Devlin's former secretary turned seducer who's cursed in love); and, Logan (half-man-half-machine and owner of Global Weapons Corp, a sometime supplier of weapons to Itor) and Sela (former Seducer and cryptozoologist and all-around B----).
***CONTAINS SPOILERS***
Chance and Marlena
I have a soft spot for Marlena because of all that she's gone through. She's a deeply caring and compassionate woman and I've been anxiously awaiting her HEA since her first appearance in ACRO. It didn't make much sense to me, however, when Marlena left her job as Dev's secretary to become a Seducer, given her curse to fall madly in love with whomever she sleeps with while he feels nothing but loathing and disgust for her. But whatever. She goes with Sela on a mission to the Amazon where she meets and falls for Chance. Chance is part man (with the ability to heal quickly) part chupacabra after being bitten by said animal in the jungle. At first, I was frustrated with Marlena's weakness. She slept with Chance repeatedly, but remained fearful of his other half. Granted, that half was a seriously scary beast, but still. Not very special agent-ish. Nonetheless, she comes around and, in the end, I enjoyed their story and HEA.
Logan and Sela
I disliked Sela from the start. She was like a bucket of cold water. Her caustic and childish remarks - in the name of "verbal sparring" - were irritating and a total turn-off for me. She lied to Logan for 80% of the book and "whored" (her word) herself out for her job. I just have a hard time getting behind a heroine under such circumstances. If she is so dedicated to her job that she's willing to prostitute herself, I can appreciate her for that: her undying dedication to her JOB. But I won't buy her as 1/2 of a HEA couple. That's a load of BS. Just my humble opinion.
So why didn't I dislike Marlena just as vehemently? I think because 1) she came clean with Chance way earlier in the story; 2) she never tried to defend being a Seducer; and 3) unlike Sela, Marlena does not have the psychic ability to read her lover's mind. Marlena became a Seducer to escape Dev and Gabriel; and, because of her curse (which doesn't make sense to me). Sela, on the other hand, has used her gift for her own personal gain (it's how she gained entry into ARCO); continued to lie to Logan way past the point of necessity; and, refused to take responsibility for the hurt her lies and deception caused him.
The other reason why I dislike Sela so much is because she deceives Logan for so long despite his coming clean with her about his feelings for her, his companies dealings with Itor, and the kidnapping of his sister. When the pressure mounts on her to come clean about her role and who she works for, she continuously strings him along. She refuses to apologize to him or be honest. Instead of taking responsibility for her decisions (including the spying and deceiving), she would twist things around, get angry with Logan (when she had no right to be), and invariably storm off in a huff. In the alternative, she'd have angry sex with him. Bleh! Logan is also part of the problem: Sela treats him like crap and he takes it, which is so not heroic IMHO. But for Chance/Marlena and Creed/Annika, this book would have earned a 0.5 star rating from me. That is how disenchanted I was with Sela and Logan's story. The additional 1.5 stars were a testament to the other main and secondary characters.
April 20, 2011
ACRO boss Devlin sends two of his female agents to the wild Forest of the Amazon, after an unusual animal attack. Sela hast the ability to read thoughts and emotions while having sex and she also has a background in studying extraordinary animals. Marlena was cursed as a young woman, she will fall madly in love with a man after she slept with them, but they will never give her love back.
Chance is a Navy Seal who’s the only survivor of the attack in the Amazon. He has been captured by Logan and his team, who has an agenda of his own. Logan is heir to a huge weapon corporation and this creature that attack Chance might be the ultimate weapon.
Both men couldn’t expect to find these two beautiful women in the Forest of the Amazon, interested in them, but they should have known better then only looking at their looks.
Tempting the Fire by Sydney Croft is the fifth novel in the ACRO Series and another hot steamy instalment. I’m already a huge fan of this series from the first novel and it stayed that way through all the books. Sydney Croft created a fabulous world, where great characters have amazing gifts.
This book is a little different from the previous novels, because it has two couples finding their love. First I thought it would be difficult to follow their own storylines, but I was wrong.
First couple is Sela and Logan, she’s send to capture this mythological creature under a low profile and if that means using her sexual gift, than so be it. Logan is in the forest for the same reason, catching this creature so his father’s company can use it as a weapon. The moment he meets Sela he knows that she is trouble, but during their journey they discover, that they need each other to save Chance.
Second couple is Marlena and Chance; Marlena doesn’t have a gift like Sela, but she can be useful in other ways. It appears she is the only one who can calm Chance down, especially when the transformation starts, turning him into one of those creatures. Chance doesn’t know what is happening to him, but it seems the creature inside him wants Marlena as his mate and luckily for them Marlena’s curse has no effect on him.
ACRO’s rival agency is breathing in their necks, because they want those creatures too, including Chance. They all will have to work together to keep Itor one step behind them.
Just like in all the previous novels Annika and Creed are the secondary storyline (or in this case the third storyline). I loved the fact that their story is being told through all the books, of course I believe they deserve their own book, but I’m happy to see how things has been for them.
There will be one more book in this series and I know that the final book is going to be awesome. It’s really going down between ACRO and Itor, so let’s hope the good guys are going to win.
Chance is a Navy Seal who’s the only survivor of the attack in the Amazon. He has been captured by Logan and his team, who has an agenda of his own. Logan is heir to a huge weapon corporation and this creature that attack Chance might be the ultimate weapon.
Both men couldn’t expect to find these two beautiful women in the Forest of the Amazon, interested in them, but they should have known better then only looking at their looks.
Tempting the Fire by Sydney Croft is the fifth novel in the ACRO Series and another hot steamy instalment. I’m already a huge fan of this series from the first novel and it stayed that way through all the books. Sydney Croft created a fabulous world, where great characters have amazing gifts.
This book is a little different from the previous novels, because it has two couples finding their love. First I thought it would be difficult to follow their own storylines, but I was wrong.
First couple is Sela and Logan, she’s send to capture this mythological creature under a low profile and if that means using her sexual gift, than so be it. Logan is in the forest for the same reason, catching this creature so his father’s company can use it as a weapon. The moment he meets Sela he knows that she is trouble, but during their journey they discover, that they need each other to save Chance.
Second couple is Marlena and Chance; Marlena doesn’t have a gift like Sela, but she can be useful in other ways. It appears she is the only one who can calm Chance down, especially when the transformation starts, turning him into one of those creatures. Chance doesn’t know what is happening to him, but it seems the creature inside him wants Marlena as his mate and luckily for them Marlena’s curse has no effect on him.
ACRO’s rival agency is breathing in their necks, because they want those creatures too, including Chance. They all will have to work together to keep Itor one step behind them.
Just like in all the previous novels Annika and Creed are the secondary storyline (or in this case the third storyline). I loved the fact that their story is being told through all the books, of course I believe they deserve their own book, but I’m happy to see how things has been for them.
There will be one more book in this series and I know that the final book is going to be awesome. It’s really going down between ACRO and Itor, so let’s hope the good guys are going to win.
September 22, 2011
Here we go again, the next book in the series that I couldn't put down from the beginning till the end.
ACRO agents Sela Kahne and Marlena West are sent to Amazon jungle to infiltrate Logan Mill's operation and find out why they want to catch a mythical creature, known as chupacabra. Deep in the jungle they get captured by Logan and his team who have recently stumbled upon the only survivor of the Navy SEALs team attacked by the creature - Chance McCormack.
Logan is the head of the operations and Marlena must seduce him to find out what their plans are and what happened to Chance and his team. But Logan has no interest in her, his sights are only set on Sela who was sent as a back up in case Marlena's seducing skills failed. But this might not be a bad thing as Marlena finds herself strongly attracted to Chance who after being bitten by the creature can now turn into one. In the meantime, Sela finds it very hard to deny the growing attraction to Logan.
Firstly, I am very happy that Marlena has finally found her HEA. We knew very little about her from previous books, only that her curse was to fall in love with every men she has sex with, but none of them would love her back. When she finally met Chance, I couldn't help but love the fact that he had "mine" thing going on. I love that in the relationships between the characters. The possessiveness that drives them crazy and against any logic is always one of my favourite parts. It was also a great way to find a cure for Marlena's curse.
Secondly, I thought this book was great because again it had a few stories going on at the same time. Just when you get to the interesting Marlena/Chance part the book would skip to the next one with Sela/Logan or Creed/Annika constantly keeping you wanting to read more.
It's amazing what's been done to Logan when he nearly died. I wish there really was something like this in reality... Just to imagine how many soldiers who didn't come back from Afghanistan could still be alive....
The ending was very unexpected, however, it's obvious that it was just a great opening for the next book in the series, which I can't wait to read!
February 18, 2014
ACRO agents Sela and Marlena are sent to the Brazilian rain forest to investigate how a team of Navy SEALs were slaughtered by a mythical creature known as the chucucabra. They must also investigate why the company GWC, the weapons company in bed with Itor is involved.
Sydney Croft are amazing writers. I like their style and I think their characters and story plots are imaginative and creative. However, this book over exaggerated the sex, (which is what is expected from this series) and avoided the romance at all costs.
Marlena, Dev's ex-assistant is sent with Sela to act as a Seducer to Logan, the owner of GWC. However, Logan falls for Sela instead and Marlena is stuck with a half human SEAL and half chucucabra. The problem is Sela doesn't seduce anymore, although her special gift involves extracting a person's innermost secrets during intercourse! What a sucky ability to have!
This a fiction book. I know that. I think I do. I know these stories are over the top, dealing with supernatural beings and whatnot, but when Marlena willingly had sex with Chance within five seconds of meeting him (while he was in beast form, mind you) was a little too much for me. And then Logan loved Sela after one star crossed night of hardcore sex in a cave! I mean, come on!
But once again, my favorite couple Annika and Creed save the day for me. Now, that Annika is pregnant, I can't wait to see how things will end with Oz's deadly prediction. Annika is a well-written character and that's probably why I like her. You understand why she's stressed about having a baby, being a good mom, etc. Yes, Annika and Creed has appeared in the series as a subplot, so their story line is solid because of that, but from the beginning their story was filled with real conflict and not the over the top stuff in this book. Maybe because Annika and Creed have history. Either way, I like the writing style of the two authors and I will continue to read the series. And although I know this is fiction with tales of paranormal beings and in your face sex, I would still like a little tit-for-tat, hard to get me type of romance sprinkled in there on occasion.
Sydney Croft are amazing writers. I like their style and I think their characters and story plots are imaginative and creative. However, this book over exaggerated the sex, (which is what is expected from this series) and avoided the romance at all costs.
Marlena, Dev's ex-assistant is sent with Sela to act as a Seducer to Logan, the owner of GWC. However, Logan falls for Sela instead and Marlena is stuck with a half human SEAL and half chucucabra. The problem is Sela doesn't seduce anymore, although her special gift involves extracting a person's innermost secrets during intercourse! What a sucky ability to have!
This a fiction book. I know that. I think I do. I know these stories are over the top, dealing with supernatural beings and whatnot, but when Marlena willingly had sex with Chance within five seconds of meeting him (while he was in beast form, mind you) was a little too much for me. And then Logan loved Sela after one star crossed night of hardcore sex in a cave! I mean, come on!
But once again, my favorite couple Annika and Creed save the day for me. Now, that Annika is pregnant, I can't wait to see how things will end with Oz's deadly prediction. Annika is a well-written character and that's probably why I like her. You understand why she's stressed about having a baby, being a good mom, etc. Yes, Annika and Creed has appeared in the series as a subplot, so their story line is solid because of that, but from the beginning their story was filled with real conflict and not the over the top stuff in this book. Maybe because Annika and Creed have history. Either way, I like the writing style of the two authors and I will continue to read the series. And although I know this is fiction with tales of paranormal beings and in your face sex, I would still like a little tit-for-tat, hard to get me type of romance sprinkled in there on occasion.
May 15, 2012
In Tempting the Fire, fifth in the ACRO series we get a two for one deal in that there are two main couples whose stories are told. But this doesn't compromise the story as they're all involved in the same mission; the hunt for a mythical and very deadly creature in the Amazon rain forest.
Representing the good guys are ACRO's cryptozoologist; Sela Kahne, who we briefly met in the last book and Devlin's former personal assistant, Marlena West who has no special abilities herself other than being cursed.
Marlena's sent now that she's completed her training as a seducer with orders to seduce Logan Mills. He runs GWC a weapons company that may or may not also be after the beast but whose company is closely tied to the series bad guys; Itor Corp.
However, what's the old say? Plans fall apart in the face of the enemy? Suffice to say that the only thing that goes to plan is that Sela and Marlena are captured by Logan and is team. After that, things get very interesting very quickly and the jungle's not the only thing providing the steam.
Despite Sela and Logan being the main story, I actually enjoy Marlena's more probably due to the fact that she's been a side character throughout the series so far and the 'Chance' (ha! Oh read it. You'll get the joke.) for her to find her HEA despite her step-sister's curse is very satisfying.
It's also good to see that even with everything seemingly resolved between Annika and Creed, to quote one of the characters, things don't end with saying "I love you" as their relationship is moved to the next level, although not easily.
Another change with this book is a battle between ACRO and Itor. There have been spats previously such as the heroes trying to escape or lone Itor agents meeting an end but this is the first where the two sides having been pitted against each other, special against special. This does come with the ultimate cost for both sides but does create an interesting set-up for the next book in the series. Don't worry, there isn't a cliff hanger but I happen to have read the blurb for Taken by Fire!
Representing the good guys are ACRO's cryptozoologist; Sela Kahne, who we briefly met in the last book and Devlin's former personal assistant, Marlena West who has no special abilities herself other than being cursed.
Marlena's sent now that she's completed her training as a seducer with orders to seduce Logan Mills. He runs GWC a weapons company that may or may not also be after the beast but whose company is closely tied to the series bad guys; Itor Corp.
However, what's the old say? Plans fall apart in the face of the enemy? Suffice to say that the only thing that goes to plan is that Sela and Marlena are captured by Logan and is team. After that, things get very interesting very quickly and the jungle's not the only thing providing the steam.
Despite Sela and Logan being the main story, I actually enjoy Marlena's more probably due to the fact that she's been a side character throughout the series so far and the 'Chance' (ha! Oh read it. You'll get the joke.) for her to find her HEA despite her step-sister's curse is very satisfying.
It's also good to see that even with everything seemingly resolved between Annika and Creed, to quote one of the characters, things don't end with saying "I love you" as their relationship is moved to the next level, although not easily.
Another change with this book is a battle between ACRO and Itor. There have been spats previously such as the heroes trying to escape or lone Itor agents meeting an end but this is the first where the two sides having been pitted against each other, special against special. This does come with the ultimate cost for both sides but does create an interesting set-up for the next book in the series. Don't worry, there isn't a cliff hanger but I happen to have read the blurb for Taken by Fire!
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