Special Agent James Pruitt as been in love with one man for years, the gorgeous - and possibly straight - General Derek Jacobs. All he wants is for Derek to return his love, but the general's career comes first and he keeps an emotional distance. When Derek asks James to go on vacation with him, it seems that the dream is about to come true.
Bad-ass General Derek Jacobs is finally ready to retire from the Army and run his Skull Blaster sniper team full time. He's also finally ready to take the only man he's ever loved and make him his.
But true love never does run smoothly and both men are tested along the way. Will years of longing finally be fulfilled? Or will their chance at love pass them by?
This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices, violence.
I have been blessed in this life to not only have parents that support me, but kids that do as well. I grew up in a loving but "Old School" French household. My parents worked for the airlines (TWA) so I was able to see a lot of Europe as a kid. I moved to Seattle Washington at the age of 22 and stayed there for twelve years before moving to Alaska for a little over two. Fairbanks, AK was one hell of an experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back! I spent a little over a year in South Carolina before moving back to Arizona. I then left for Kansas for five years and now reside in Arizona. I've been connected to the military in one way or another for over half my life and wouldn't change a thing about it. Writing has become my full time job and I've never been so happy doing a job I love and being able to do it in my jammies. I plan on writing until I dry up and die. Hopefully, that won't happen soon!
I have been waiting for James and Derek's story and always hoped that Sandrine would do right by them. I must say that she did an excellent job. It was just the right amount of tension that these two have had throughout the previous books, but not too much. I loved that they got together in enough time that we are able to see them in their relationship. I just loved it. This is a great series! Oh, extra points for the HOT cover :)
More like 2.5ish because I ended up skimming alot.
First, the good: I LOVE Derek (well for about 75% of the book) and would like one of him delivered to my door, stat! Loved that James stood up for himself and I loved their interaction, the foreboding when James went into A'stan and Derek's complete freak out when he was hurt.
Once they got together, though, I didn't really care so much. I skipped their sex scene, and pretty much skimmed anything after that involving them. Not good when they're the main characters. I don't know. I just kind of didn't care. Yes, James, he loves you. Yes! Now stop being in awe of everything he does and every declaration he makes. The 'outing' scene with Derek infront of a room of his peers was just NO. I hate dramatic, public 'outings' anyway, the dumping of the food and the 'he's with me' business' just totaled to way too much for me. For the most part, I do love James and Derek, and am happy they ended up together but because they got together so early on in the book, they lost me. So who kept my interest? Brody/Lucas.
I LOVE LUCAS!! I mean really, really love him. I love everything about him. I'll admit that when he told James he loved him I had a bit of a Mary Sue moment, but I totally loved how he handled himself. I loved that he told James he wouldn't take second place and when he said, 'Stop me, James' before kissing him, I damn near melted into my chair. Actually, I think the scenes between James and Lucas were my favorite.
I will say this. As with many stories where all the couples are gay (I'm thinking of many of the ranch series), you do have to suspend disbelief to enjoy them. I mean really, what are the odds of every single member of an assasin team and every single person they come into contact with being gay or bi or formerly straight?? But, just ignore any kind of rationalization there and you'll be ok lol.
Now, my thoughts on Vicious Vince. The way he's portrayed in this book kind of worried me. Seems like he used to be Vicious Vince and now he's 'teasing, joking, flirtatious Vince', BUT I'm sort of comforted by the preview for 'Russian Prey' because it seems just YUMMMAAAYYYYY. I want to read about VICIOUS Vince, and while his peers are 'worried that he's getting back to his old self' I am, well, jumping for daggone joy!! I mean, why expound on how scary he is, if he's not going to be scary at all? He is VICIOUS DAGGONE VINCE! LOL I'm already liking the angle where his heart has been broken and he doesn't want to open up. Oohwee, that sounds like great things are about to happen. I am hoping (Sandrine, are you reading this?) LOL. I am hoping that something happens to Keegan...or something happens in the course of the book, and we get to see what kind of badass, vicious, murderous, cold blooded killer Vince can be, right before he rescues his man...or whatever... and tucks him in with a bedtime story, some hot chocolate and some long over due loving. Hot chocolate and bedtime story, optional. LOL I'm already loving Nikolai too.
So last thoughts. I did enjoy this book. I love the camraderie and humor that makes this series great and I do love the series, but this was one was just ok. Just a few niggles in general. I can't get over how much these guys 'giggle'. WTH?? Riley especially. Between all the giggling and snickering it's just too much. Yes, they're a fun group but they're bad ass assassins..ok, not Riley, but still. He's a grown man!
Please, please find out the past tense of the word, 'lie' (as in lying down) I cannot take it anymore. Fix.It.
That's all. I'm thinking I'll like the next book much more than I liked this one. This one was ok, but the next one...woo Lawd, it's looking like a winner!
This is the most farfetched nonsense I've read in a while. Everyone's gay?! Pining for someone for six years? I could not concentrate on the words because my eyes were rolling around in my head so much. James, grow a pair.
I found that this book had an unbelievable worldbuilding (a mix of contemporary and paranormal) with spies, macho men, Russian Mafia, and some shifters? My biggest problem though is that the many male characters in this series are all gay(even the straight ones turn out to be gay), and they are all couples who want babies and live in the suburbs. However, they are also killers and spies who go on secret military and non-military missions.
That's the plotting, which by the way sounds like initially might have been interesting. The writing, however, lacked those details and emotions that I need to connect with the characters. Unfortuntately, this book was just not for me.
James really came off as a pathetic doormat. This was my least favorite of the series, who waits around on a guy for SIX years? Taking all their calls and being available for them year after platonic year and I never got a good excuse why it took the Geneal so long to step up. All that pining away seemed pathetic to me, James' friends should have been encouraging him to get a life not sit around and wait for some guy who obviously didn't want him all that much.
The men that make up the deadliest team of assassins, more affectionately known as The Skull Blasters, have never hidden the fact that they are gay, that would include their own unique version of James Bond.. better known as Special Agent James Pruitt. Hell, most of them are married, a few of them to werewolves no less!
Their fearless leader, General “fuck it� Derek Jacobs, not so much. He’s never denied that he was gay, but he’s never admitted it either. That is until the love of his life, James Bond, is taken hostage in Afghanistan during a failed mission. Jesus, Mary and Joseph all hell breaks loose when Jacobs unleashes his team on the men that took his man; oh but wait, our favorite Russian team of assassins are back and stealing the Skull Blasters thunder once again.
They may not agree with each other’s methods, but both teams are working at the same goal; the question is, can they work together? Once the dust has cleared and the guys get Pruitt home safe will Jacobs finally be able to open up to the man he loves� or will his job, not to mention 6 years and a hell of a lot of missed opportunities, destroy any chance these two had at happiness?
I absolutely love Gasq-Dion’s books! She pulls you in from the start and she always keeps everyone’s story running underneath no matter who the main attraction is from one book to the next. The possesively comical side she gives a few of her characters only adds to the realism of the stories. One of my favorite parts in this particular book was when Vince (smoldering Russian assassin) is eyeing Riley (Mateo’s husband) lustfully and Mateo (drop dead gorgeous and delicious assassin) pulls his husband closer growling at Vince and says “That would be mine!�.
Lot’s and Lot’s of sexy scenes as usual. I give this one 5/5, but that’s just my two cents!
4.5 stars. This was my favorite of the series so far. I've loved these two from the very beginning, and it was great to see Derek finally getting with the program. When he finally does, these guys are really hot together.
Lucas was really funny and sweet in this book. Always great to see the rest of the gang. We even get to see a little bit of the other team of hotties, which leads to what I'm hoping to be one intense story of Keegan and Vince.
First off, I love this cover. It's about the sexiest I've seen. I'm a hair disappointed in this story. I kind of figured there'd be some angst or a little more chemistry. I think it's because James didn't feel like the same James in tw other books. I'm not sure. I can't put my finger on it. Still lots of sex and lots of the team around.
Bradly 'Derek' Jacobs is an army General, closeted, and afraid to tell James Pruitt that he loves James. James is both in the FBI and CIA. Derek get ambushed going to a 'friendly' meeting with Afghan locals. James is sent to investigate what happened and get captured by a warlord pretending to be friendly to the US when he is actually a leader of the insurgents. There are 2 teams attacking the stronghold one the band of assassins Derek lead before the team retired from government service and the other independent but with ties to the Russian mafia. The mafia connected group recovers James and his former partner Lucas.
Mostly bored. Didn’t like Derek, and James was so-so.
You’ve known each other for six years, huh? Dude, it’s been way longer than that, since even book three and book one took place way before the beginning of those “six years�. Okay, clearly I need to read every further volume in this series as a completely new universe and take everything as is. It’s the only way to retain what is left of my sanity.
So we get military/mercenary action in this one! Mind you, it’s not particularly convincing but at least provides a chance of pace. And scenery, I guess.
I suppose it would be pointless by now to comment on the ridiculousness of an almost all-gay cast. With most of them married to guys, as well � even those who have not had a book of their own yet. Oh and they’re all so stupendously beautiful that everyone needs to gape and comment on it. Nothing new in any of that. But it’s making my head spin just how chatty these supposedly tough, hardened mercenaries are when they all get together, how much information those super secret types share openly.
While it’s true that most people get to giggle every once in a while in these books, Riley’s giggling has taken off. I think it’s become compulsive; he seems to do it with most of his dialogue and, sadly, it makes him sound like an airhead. That and what he actually does say.
I liked Lucas. He makes sense and behaves far more responsibly and maturely than our protagonists. So I thought maybe it’d be so much better if James went with Lucas. But then I realized Lucas is too good for him, too,
Once again, sex without prep. That’s not sexy or passionate � it’s inconsiderate. Don’t injure your partner, okay? Not good. If you can’t have sex responsibly, don’t do it at all. And I am not even going to mention the lack of protection in this series anymore. Good god� For what it’s worth,
Also, just when things got to a point for which I could conjure up a mild interest � we’re hit by another flashback. Really? What do I care what precisely went on in Derek’s head back then? Adding insult to injury, nothing new was shared. At all. What a pointless moment.
*sigh* Okay, even the pretence is gone now. The unofficial bottoms are the “wives� (even though they call them “husbands�). Most of them are perfect home-makers to boot. I just don’t know anymore�
Gonna go and force myself to take a break from the series now. Really. Even if I have to hide the books! I need a refreshment if I want to find any more joy in this. (And I do!) ^^
What I liked about the other books were definitely the shifters. No shifters in this one... The assassins are cool, but a bit boring. I like my men to be more in touch with their animal side.
This book concentrates on the couple we knew should be together from the start, but were to pigheaded to admit it: James and Derek. Derek is making plans to retire from the military because he has finally admitted he cannot live without James. But just when he is going to admit his feelings to James, James is abducted. While James is being tortured, Derek calls his team to free the love of his life. After James is rescued and Derek finally has him alone there is love love love and sex sex sex. That about sums it up.
It was somewhat entertaining and because I am still reading this series it appears there is something I like in these books. Or I am just a masochist, that is also a good possibility.
I must say that while I was happy to finally get to read James' and Derek's story I was very disappointed and surprised with the length of the story. I purchased this book on Amazon and according to Amazon's product page it was supposedly 342 pages....more than the earlier ones but still not a bad price at $3.99. Then I see according to it's listing here on GRs that it's 223 pages.... hmmmm.... wondered about that but still purchased it though because I have loved this series so far. However, once I bought the book and saw the table of contents I was not a happy camper... the table of contents in the book itself clearly shows that James' & Derek's book is only 103 pages! .... I never would have spent that much money on such a short story had I known it's true length and am appalled that the product pages are so misleading about it's size. As for the story itself, it was ok but not even comparable to the other books in the series.
Okay, this is ridiculous. Every book by this author is so damn good I can't wait for the next one! General Derek Jacobs is finally ready to be with the one man he loves, but things don't go so smoothly for James and Derek (And really, if you've been reading this series, when has it ever?) We get a look at Vicious Vince Markov in this one and his merry band of killers as well. The sneak peek for Russian Prey was just CRUEL!!!! The earlier books had some punctuation mistakes and such but I over-looked them because, really? I couldn't have cared less. (The author herself has said the first four books are going back to her new editor) I can see growth with every new book. Not too much sex in this one but the sex scenes were downright SCORCHING. I love how Sandrine concentrates more on the romance in her stories. On pins and needles for book eight!
You know what Derek Jacobs, get your head out of your ass! Seriously. Oh man. I wanted to bitch slap you so many times.
Good for James for sticking up for himself. 6 years is a long time to wait for someone who doesn't want you, or so James thinks.
I've said this before and I will say it again, it takes a hell of a person to be married to anyone in service, whether it be military, law enforcement, medical, fire, etc. One there will always be homophobic assholes and two they are most likely married to their career. I couldn't handle that and I am woman enough to admit that. Kudos to those of you who can.
It was nice to see Markov's men again in this. I want to learn more about them :)
This was another excellent book in the Assassin/Shifter series. I have been watching the tension build between Derek and James in the other books and was extremely happy when I realised they were finally going to try and get there act together in this book. I am absolutely loving this series and each book just seems to reel me in that little bit more!! Highly recommended!!
Another great add to the series. Finally we get to see James Pruitt and Derek Jacobs get together. It was a long time coming, I definitely want to shake Derek to get his crap together since the beginning. Can't wait for the next.
Permanent Smile Syndrome (PSS): caused by beautiful men with hot asses and amazing love for one another and thier framily (thats friends+family=framily).
This is like my 5th time rereading the series and I still love these books dearly. I still tear up when James asks about the cave. I will never stop reading or recommending the series
I loved this book because the love between James and Derek has been in quite a few of the books and this was a great completion of their story. Each of the books in the series focuses on one pairing while giving out tidbits about the other members of this group of Skull Blasters and their werewolf group of friends. Derek Jacobs is a career military man who now runs the Skull Blaster group within the government. He has tried to deny he is gay or at least not announce it to the military. But since the day he met James Pruitt, the James Bond government bigwig, he has had feelings for him. His only exploration of his true gay self was some messing around with Mateo years back. He can hardly admit to himself that he is gay. James Pruitt is an extraordinarily powerful man in the U.S government. No one is exactly sure who he reports to. He is the top dog when it comes to the team, but when he first laid eyes on Derek over 6 years ago, his heart was taken for good. He knows who he loves, but figures it will never happen. After Derek blew his chance in Alaska, Derek took time to think about what matters. When things go horribly wrong in Afghanistan and James is kidnapped, Derek moves heaven and earth to find James. When another assassin team rescues James from his captors, Derek hightails it to Italy to find him. But James wasn't alone in that cave. His old partner Cain was injured as well. After hearing what he tells James, Derek finally kisses James. He also promises to go on vacation with him. But trouble with the leadership has him going back on his word, and James has had enough. Will true love overcome Derek's fear and mistakes? Or will Cain change the game? If you love this series, this is one book you do not want to miss. If you haven't read the series, what are you waiting for? I am a complete addict for these guys, and these books just get better and better! There is so much more to come and I will follow this series as far as it goes. If you love alpha males, paranormal reads, and super hot m/m romance, then these are for you!
This was the book in the series that I was waiting to read every since the two characters were introduced.
James and Derek, aka The General have had feeling for each other for a very long time. James is openly gay but Derek is not, due to his military status. Pretty much all of the men on his assassin team knew how Derek feels about James and vice versa and they were more than ok with it. Derek, however is reluctant to both claim James and admit he is gay. He is forced to seriously re-think this stance after a series of events involving James safety.
Derek is one of those stubborn, reluctant characters that you sometimes want to smack on the back of his head. James is the character you really feel bad that he is waiting around for Derek. There was plenty of drama between the two before they finally come together. There are a couple of intense scenes, but of course you know they HAD to be together by the end of the book.
I enjoyed this read and I'm continuing to binge read this series. On to the next book!