Friday, March 25, 2011

Dee Davis -- Desperate Deeds

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ .   {4.95}
Action: ♠♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣. / Romance: ♥♥♥♥. / Sensuous: ♦♦♦♦. / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠♠
Action: 5 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4.5 / Sensuous: 4.25 / Suspense: 5 // Humor: 1 / Tears: 3

Dee Davis's The A-Tac Series has become a favorite.   Any reader who loves military romantic suspense books will love this series.   Although it is not critical to understand the development of the story line in Desperate Deeds (Book Three), interesting background information about the A-Tac team is presented in Book One, Dark Deceptions, and Book Two, Dangerous Desires.   In these two books, the team has been encountering elements of sabotage during their missions that indicate they may have a traitor in their midst.   The pursuit of that traitor takes up the majority of the plot line in Desperate Deeds.

For some reason, heroine Tyler Hanson did not seem to stand out in the previous two books of the series.   Since Davis seems to be following a path of revealing as few physical attributes of the members of the A-Tac team as possible, it was helpful that she described Tyler's hair color and style in book two, because Davis did not reveal Tyler wore her blond hair in a ponytail in her book.   Yes, she did reveal that Tyler was an independent, tough, drop-dead gorgeous, smoky-green-eyed, "girl next door with a body to die for" heroine in Desperate Deeds.   [Note: found a description of these characters at www.HachettBookGroup.com]

There is nothing in the world of ordnance that Tyler cannot take apart or put together.   Because of this capability Tyler was assigned to join a military team transporting specialized detonators designed in a collaborative effort between the United States and England.   During the transport {1} Tyler was wounded, {2} the two soldiers with her killed, and {3} the detonators stolen.   General Fisher, the base commander involved in the transfer, suspects Tyler as an insider involved in the theft because she is the only one left alive.

Having read the first two books of the series it was readily apparent that the A-Tac mole had inside information about Tyler's psyche.   Tyler's background as the stoic daughter of renowned General Zachary Hanson is revealed.   As is the loss of her mother when she was a girl.   The thieves used a blue scarf (like the one Tyler had once gifted to her mother) as the means to emotionally distract Tyler.   The scarf caused Tyler to leave the transport vehicle and go down the incline beside the damaged guard rail, which left the terrorists to attack the other two men guarding the detonators.

After reporting in to her commander that someone was playing her, Tyler went down to the hotel bar to use bourbon to drown the memory of the dead soldiers.   The MI-5 British Intelligence officer who was to receive the detonators joined Tyler at her table.   Since Tyler no longer did relationships (after being burned by Justin), she invited hero Owen Wakefield to her room for a one-night stand.   Davis does a great job of titillating the reader with a heat-filled love scene full of spice.   Know it is not possible to pepper the book with more love scenes because so much space is required for the in-depth action and suspense required for such a great read, but wish that the hero and heroine could make love more often in this series.

Tyler returns to Sunderland College to find that the devastatingly attractive, hunky MI-5 operative has been assigned to the A-Tac team to help them find {1} the stolen detonators and {2} the suspected A-Tac mole.   What Tyler and the A-Tac team don't know is that Owen is not MI-5.   He was reporting to Logan Palmer, the NSA man who policed America's intelligence agencies.   Can see serious repercussions in Owen's future when Tyler and Avery learn this pertinent fact.   Tyler, because she won't like being lied to.   Avery, because Logan Palmer and Avery Solomon (A-Tac commander) have a long-standing mutual dislike for the other.

Owen calls in an outside computer specialist (former FBI, Harrison Blake) to join the A-Tac team.   The other A-Tac members are not exactly comfortable having these new players on their playing field; particularly Jason Lawton, A-Tac's computer guru and IT whiz.   Hannah Marshall, the A-Tac intel specialist, however, seems to warm to Harrison as he displays his amazing talent at unearthing clues.

As with the other two books in this series, Davis concentrates on giving the reader massive amounts of action and suspense in Desperate Deeds.   Although Tyler was left alive at the scene of the detonator thefts, the man (or men) behind that theft do not plan on leaving her alive.   Several attempts are made to kill Tyler as she and Owen start following the clues to find out why A-Tac was even involved in such a mundane mission as transporting detonators.

It was discovered that the orders for Tyler to travel with the convoy carrying the detonators came from her father.   After visiting General Zachary Hanson's home, Owen and Tyler went to visit her father's long-time friend, Lieutenant General Mike Hollingsworth, to find out what General Hanson's Alzheimer's-impaired brain was trying to tell them.   Uncle Mike's revelations led Owen and Tyler to one of the chief designers of the detonators, Jefferson Smithwick.   As Owen and Tyler continue to follow the trail of clues, they engage in one harrowing, death-defying, action-filled scene after another.

This book had a stronger emotional pull than the previous two books.   Davis spends more time revealing Tyler's developmental history and emotional background.   (Being a "daddy's girl" caused an enhanced emotional connection to Tyler as she dealt with events related to her father.)

As Owen and Tyler followed the clues, their wide, steel-enhanced emotional barriers against the other were slowly being torn down.   Although Owen's past hurts were the more intense between the couple, it seemed Tyler had a more difficult time accepting that she could have a job she loved as well as be with a man who would accept her and her job.   It was the only way Tyler could find her happily-ever-after.

There was something about this A-Tac Series that just really grabbed and held my attention.   Features about Desperate Deeds that were so enthralling and engaging, include: {1} The massive amounts of action that pervaded the book.   {2} The dual sense of nail-biting suspense: (a) who was the mole and (b) would the hero and heroine be able to find him/her/them in time to prevent a catastrophic event.   {3} An emotionally wounded, hunky, alpha hero strong enough to stand up to the heroine.   {4} An attractive, smart, independent heroine who knows what she wants and won't settle for less.   {5} Spicy, heated, magical love scenes that include an emotional connection as well as a sexual one.   {6} The inclusion of the entire A-Tac team as interesting secondary characters.   {7} The inclusion of additional secondary characters who are connected to the heroine's personal background (i.e., her father and brother).   {8} The two things that always count in fiction: (a) the good guys win, and (b) the boy gets the girl (and lives happily ever after).

Love this series.   Cannot wait to read future installments (scheduled for 2011 and 2012).
--Vonda M. Reid (Sunday; October 10, 2010 : 5:18 p.m.)

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Books In The Series: "The A-TAC Series"
  #     Date                Book Title                                           Hero                                                 Heroine                  
01. 04-2010 Dark Deceptions Nash Brennon Annie Gallagher
02. 07-2010 Dangerous Desire Drake Flynn Madeline Reynard
03. 08-2010 Desperate Deeds Owen Wakefield (Cantor) Tyler Hanson
04. 09-2011 Deep Disclosure Tucker Flynn Alexis Markham
05. xx-2012 [Deadly Dance] . .
06. xx-2012 [Double Danger] . .

Books Similar to "Desperate Deeds"
  Site                  Author                                      Title                                                         Series                                
01.ff Brockmann, SuzanneInfamous  
02.ff Banks, Maya The Darkest Hour 01. The Kelly Group International {2...
03.ff Feehan, Christine Water Bound 01. A Sea Haven Novel {1...
04.ff Fetzer, Amy J. Damage Control  
05.db Eden, Cynthia Deadly Fear 01. The Deadly Trilogy {3}
06.db Davis, Dee Dangerous Desires 02. The A-Tac Series {6}
07.db Davis, Dee Dark Deceptions 01. The A-Tac Series {6}
08.db Morgan, Kira Captured By Desire 01. Related Books One {2...
09.db Brady, Kate Last To Die 02. The Sheridan Series {2...

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Desperate Deeds Quotations:

112     . . . A part of her wishing he'd ignore all the rhetoric and carry her away. . . .

144     . . . No one is ready to deal with losing people they love. . . .

148     . . . She'd longed to be like her father, desperate to prove she wasn't weak like her mother.   But the stronger she'd become, the greater the distance between them.   By following in his footsteps, she'd effectively pushed him away.

216     . . . We made a choice, Tyler.   And the one thing I've learned in this life is that there are costs for every decision we make.   And most of the time, once the choice has been made, there's no going back."


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Dee Davis

♠   Website
♣   The Whine Sisters (Blog)
♥   Twitter
♦   Facebook
♠   My Space

♣   Fantastic Fiction
♥    FictionDB


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Desperate Deeds Reviews:
      Rated               Posted                                        Site                                                Notes, Comments, Etc.               
4.27 average{15 reviews}Amazonas of: March 25, 2011
4.008-10-2010Arms of A Sisteralso posted on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari
4.008-09-2010Ashley's Bookshelf 
4.008-09-2010Book Hounds: Books, Gardens & Dogsalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari
--08-...-2010Book Pageno rating / positive inflection
5.006-14-2010Book Pleasuresalso posted on Amazon
4.007-27-2010Bookaholics Romance Book Clubalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari
5.008-...-2010Coffee Time Romance 
9 / 9 / 909-26-2010Eye on Romance {Suspense Romance Writers} 
--{2 reviews}Fresh Fictionno ratings / positive inflections
3.83 average{27 reviews}Good Readsas of: March 25, 2011
4.011-27-2010Huntress Reviewsalso posted on Amazon
3.5 / C07-29-2010Jandy's Reading Room 
5.007-28-2010Harriet Klausnerposted on Amazon
2.505-13-2010Loves Romances and MoreGina
4.001-18-2011Loves Romances and MoreTammy
4.008-24-2010Michelle & Leslie's Book Picksalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads
3.007-26-2010Michelle's Book Blog 
5.008-07-2010My Book Addiction And Moreboilerplate review
5.0 {top pick}07-07-2010Night Owl Romancealso posted on Amazon
4 out of 508-11-2010Paranormal & Romantic Suspense Reviews 
4.001-01-2011Paranormal Kissslightly different on Good Reads
4.008-18-2010Readaholicposted only on Amazon
----Reader To Readerno rating / positive inflection
5.007-30-2010Reader's Favoritealso posted on Amazon
4.508-03-2010Romance Junkiesalso posted on Amazon
--08-01-2010Romance Reviews Todayno rating / positive inflection
4.0 / hot06-13-2010RT {Romantic Times} Book Reviews 
4.008-10-2010Rundpinne 
4.25 average{4 reviews}Shelfarias of: March 25, 2011
--08-20-2010Simply Staciedidn't review / positive inflection
4.008-01-2010Smexy Booksalso posted on Good Reads
4.5--The Romance Readers Connection 
4.5 / mild07-13-2010The Romance Studio 
--08-10-2010Wendi's Book Cornerno rating / positive inflection
4.9503-25-2011Wolf Bear Does Booksshorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari

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♥  Disclaimer:  I purchased this book.
♥  Very Subjective Rating:   rated before created Blog
♥  Willing to share Cheat Sheet
    ♦  in whole or in part
    ♦  WordPerfect or PDF
♣  Will add your Desperate Deeds review link to table, just ask

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Dee Davis -- Dangerous Desires

Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ .   {4.90}
Action: ♠♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣. / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦♦♦. / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠.
Action: 5 / Emotion: 4.5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 4.25 / Suspense: 4.5 // Humor: 2 / Teary: 2

Absolutely, positively love Dee Davis's The A-Tac Series.   What a great find.   Anyone who loves military romantic suspense novels will love this series.   Started reading the first book of the series and did not stop reading until finished the third book of the series.   Went to Dee Davis's website to see if there were going to be future books.   Whew! What a relief! Davis has three more A-Tac books scheduled for release in 2011 and 2012.

Archeology Professor, Dr. Drake Flynn, drew strong interest when he was introduced in Book One, Dark Deceptions.   He proves that he is a worthy macho alpha hero in Book Two, Dangerous Desires.   Drake awakes from dreaming about his big brother, Tucker, who died five years ago during flight training exercises in Nevada.   Drake is re-thinking his options of being single after witnessing his friend Nash's success in finding his happily-ever-after (in book one).   His dreams come to an abrupt halt when his on-and-off girlfriend for the past year, Mossad operative, Cassandra, left his bed and pulled a gun on him.   This just proves to the already jaded Drake that there is no loyalty in womankind.   (His mother left home when Drake and Tucker were small boys.)

Enter heroine Madeline Reynard, a prisoner of San Mateo Prison in Colombia.   Madeline was incarcerated for killing a prominent politician when he tried to rape her drugged-out sister, Jenny.   The initial reaction was to assume that extractions expert, Drake Flynn, would be called upon to recuse the damsel in distress.   Wrong assumption!   Apparently it was critical to the story that Madeline befriend fellow inmate, Andrés, as they walked in the exercise yard.   It also seemed critical that Andrés give Madeline his "queen of hearts" playing card to use as her means of escape, since Andrés felt he would not last much longer in San Mateo.

Three years later, Madeline is still working for Hector Ortiz, the power-behind-the-man, narco-terrorist Jorge di Silva.   Ortiz made a deal with Madeline to secure her release from prison (and to keep Jenny alive) by stealing information from her contacts with men like prominent diplomat, Henri Marton.   Madeline's hatred of Ortiz has prompted her to start stealing papers from him so that when she pays off Jenny's debts, she can take Jenny from the drug rehabilitation facility, then blow the whistle on Ortiz.

Things change drastically when Madeline discovers papers in Ortiz's office indicating that Jenny has been dead for six months.   Madeline goes to the American Embassy and presents her "queen of hearts" playing card to new diplomat Will Richardson.   This sets three events into motion.   One, Richardson is killed.   Two, Madeline is locked up in the di Silva compound.   Three, A-Tac is contacted to rescue Madeline.

Davis again entertains the reader with the curiously intriguing journey of select professors at Sunderland College, New York to the American Tactical Intelligence Command ("A-Tac") offices, housed underneath the Aaron Thomas Academic Center (the country's foremost think tank).   For some reason, this detailed description of the professors' transformation from academics into warriors is fascinating.   Find it a plus that Davis includes Drake's teammates in his story.

A-Tac members who continue to play a role in this book include: {1} Avery Solomon, the boss.   {2} Nash Brennon: chaired History Department, Drake's best friend, A-Tac's second-in-command, and covert operations expert.   {3} Annie Brennon: Nash's wife and ex-CIA sniper.   {4} Hannah Marshall: team intel expert, expert in political theory and ferreting out information.   {5} Jason Lawton: IT specialist, computer forensics and electronic wizard.   {6} Tyler Hanson: ordnance expert and chair of English Department.   {7} Emmett Walsh: communications specialist.   {8} Lara Prescott: expert in biochemical warfare and team medical officer.

A-Tac operatives question why it is so important to bring in Jorge di Silva's mistress.   Apparently Madeline not only knows details about the di Silva drug trade, but knows the location of a cache of weapons that the team must destroy.   Emmett and Lara are shipped off to Russia and the rest of the team head to di Silva's compound in Colombia.

Dangerous Desires is another book full of non-stop, tense, nail-biting suspenseful action.   The team encounters bullets and obstacles galore as Drake enters Casa de Orquídea to extract Madeline.   After the team manages to secure Madeline and evade Ortiz's men, Madeline leads them to the munitions cache.   Suspense escalates because the cache location is the perfect setup for a trap.   Madeline knows an alternate escape route, but {1} she is afraid of Ortiz catching her, and {2} feels that her rescuers are more interested in getting her to Langley than concerned for her safety, so does not share that information with the team.   Instead, she uses their distraction with blowing up the munitions to escape into the jungle.

Two incidents occur that increase the suspenseful flavor of the book even more.   First, when Tyler opens her bag of explosives at the cache site, everything in the bag has been tampered with.   This continues the theme of a traitor in the midst of A-Tac that was introduced in book one.   Second, when Ortiz finds out that Madeline has escaped, he is so furious he has to work to hold on to his Spanish.   This is not the first time that Davis has thrown in a little hint that Ortiz is hiding something that could be devastating should he be found out.

Naturally, Drake is sent into the jungle after Madeline as the remaining members of the team blow up the munitions cache and barely manage to escape in the helicopter Hannah sends.   So begins the development of a relationship between the jaded, cynical hero and the quick-witted heroine as they tramp through the jungles of Colombia to reach Puerto Remo.   Drake cannot help but be impressed with spunky Madeline's lack of complaints (and occasional support) as they encounter one obstacle after another.   Not only are they being pursued by di Silva's men, but a "behind the scenes" major player in the arms industry, Michael Brecht, has hired mercenaries to join the chase.

After Drake and Madeline reach the A-Tac safe house in Puerto Remo, they act upon the mutual attraction that has been blossoming between them during their jungle journey.   Davis does a terrific job of writing love scenes that are full of spice, heat and emotion.   It takes a truly gifted author who can draw the reader into the scene with the hero and heroine and feel the passion as it flows between the characters.

There are a lot more action scenes to follow.   Plus a lot of loose ends have to be tied together before Davis can end the book with Drake and Madeline's happily-ever-after.   Davis does a phenomenal job of keeping the reader guessing as she enthralls us with hints and action sequences as the characters try to find the path to solving the answers posed.   {1} Why was Madeline such an important person of interest?   {2} Why was Langley willing to hang Drake out to dry?   {3} What was Ortiz hiding?   {4} Why was the "queen of hearts" card from Andrés so important?   {5} Who was the traitor in A-Tac?

One vast improvement in Dangerous Desires that was missing in Dark Deceptions was the physical descriptions of the hero and heroine.   (Except, don't know what color hair Drake has.)   Not to be a constant complainer, but wished that she had also included physical descriptions of the other team members (besides Tyler and Hannah).   Didn't realize this aspect of character development was so important until it was not there.   [Note: found physical, psychological and background profiles for characters at HachetteBookGroup.com.]

Although Davis spends most of the book writing an abundance of action-packed adventures, she does manage to squeeze in enough details about the hero and heroine to show why they have difficulty trusting and falling in love.   Being an avid fan of action movies, it is no wonder that it was impossible to put this book down after reading the first paragraph.   This book is a definite addition to the "to be re-read" list.
--Vonda M. Reid (Saturday; October 9, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.)

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Books In The Series: "The A-TAC Series"
  #     Date                Book Title                                           Hero                                                 Heroine                  
01. 04-2010 Dark Deceptions Nash Brennon Annie Gallagher
02. 07-2010 Dangerous Desire Drake Flynn Madeline Reynard
03. 08-2010 Desperate Deeds Owen Wakefield (Cantor) Tyler Hanson
04. 09-2011 Deep Disclosure Tucker Flynn Alexis Markham
05. xx-2012 [Deadly Dance] . .
06. xx-2012 [Double Danger] . .

Books Similar to "Dangerous Desires"
  Site                   Author                                     Title                                                         Series                                
01.ff Webb, DebraAnywhere She Runs  
02.ff Banks, Maya The Darkest Hour 01. The Kelly Group International {2...
03.ff Fetzer, Amy J. Damage Control 
04.ff Griffin, Laura Unspeakable 02. The Tracers Series {3}
05.db Brown, Carolyn I Love This Bar01. The Honky Tonk Beer Joint Series {4}
06.db Davis, Dee Dark Deceptions 01. The A-Tac Series {6...
07.db Harlow, Karin Enemy Lover 01. The L.O.S.T. Series {...
08.db Davis, Jo Line of Fire 04. The Firefighters of Station Five {5}
09.db Eden, Cynthia Deadly Fear 01. The Deadly Series {3...

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Dangerous Desires Quotations:

213     . . He understood the will to survive.   But with Madeline there was something more.   As if somehow she'd been able to keep a part of herself separate from all the ugliness.

225     . . . But now, the time had come to take care of herself.   It was a cold, cruel world.   And she knew better than to believe in happy endings . . . .

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Dee Davis

♠   Website
♣   The Whine Sisters (Blog)
♥   Twitter
♦   Facebook
♠   My Space

♣   Fantastic Fiction
♥    FictionDB


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dangerous Desires Reviews:
      Rated               Posted                                        Site                                                Notes, Comments, Etc.               
4.0--A Moment With Mysteealso posted on Good Reads, Shelfari
5.007-10-2010About Happy Booksalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads
5.0--Affaire de Coeurcould not find again on website
4.77 average{13 reviews}Amazonas of: March 24, 2011
4.5--Bella Online 
4.008-24-2010Book Addict Pattialso posted on Good Reads
5.005-28-2010Book Pleasuresalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads
4.0 average{2 reviews}Borders True Romance 
7 out of 1012-18-2010CA Reviews 
3.85 average{30 reviews}Good Readsas of: March 24, 2011
4.007-28-2010Huntress Reviewsalso posted on Amazon
3 out of 509-30-2010I'm Booking Italso posted on Good Reads
3.5 / C06-23-2010Jandy's Reading Room 
4.005-27-2010Loves Romances and More Gina
4.012-01-2010Loves Romances and More Tammy
--06-25-2010Mason Canyon : Guest BlogDee Davis Guest Blog
4.2507-05-2010Michelle & Leslie's Book Picksalso posted on Amazon, Good Reads
4.006-29-2010Michelle's Book Blog 
5.006-25-2010My Book Addiction And More 
5.0 / top pick07-08-2010Night Owl Romancealso posted on Good Reads
5 out of 507-10-2010Paranormal & Romantic Suspense ReviewsRating Only : No Review
----Reader To Readerdidn't rate / positive inflection
5.007-30-2010Reader's Favoritealso posted on Amazon
4.507-12-2010Romance Junkies 
--07-01-2010Romance Reviews Todaydidn't rate / positive inflection
4.0 / hot05-23-2010RT Book Reviews 
4.006-26-2010Rundpinnealso posted on Good Reads
4.33 average{6 reviews}Shelfarias of: March 24, 2011
--07-11-2010Simply Staciedidn't rate / positive inflection
4.006-23-2010Smexy Booksalso posted on Good Reads
About Dee06-29-2010The Romance DishVisiting Blog
4.0--The Romance Readers Connection 
4.50 / mild06-08-2010The Romance Studio 
--08-09-2010Wendi's Book Cornerdidn't rate / positive inflection
4.9003-24-2011Wolf Bear Does Booksshorter post on Amazon, Good Reads, Shelfari

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♥  Disclaimer:  I purchased this book.
♥  Very Subjective Rating:   rated before created Blog
♥  Willing to share Cheat Sheet
    ♦  in whole or in part
    ♦  WordPerfect or PDF
♣  Will add your Dangerous Desires review link to table, just ask