Second Chance (Griffin Force #5) by Julie Coulter Bellon

 

Griffin Force tracks a dangerous terrorist to Libya, but the only man on their team that can infiltrate the terrorist's lair is Augie---their computer tech. They'll take a huge risk with an undercover asset who gets Augie in and assures them he won't be killed.

But who can the team really trust when the op goes sideways?

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Wa-hoo!  It's release day for this book and I feel like I've been waiting forever for it!  I mean, it hasn't REALLY been forever, but you know what I mean.  It seems like so long ago that this author revealed the cover for this book and I was SO excited.  Julie Coulter Bellon is one of my favorites in this military suspense genre.  She has written in other genres too and I like that but this is my first love.  I loved being back with the Griffin Force team with the spotlight on Augie, the computer tech genius.  Time to really shine, Augie!!

And shine he did.  

Even in the dark moments, Augie was shining.  He really came through as a protector and a defender.  I loved his bravery and his kindness.  Rian has a great presence in this book- who doesn't love a strong woman?  She was amazing.  And of course, seeing old friends was nice too.  I love how this team works together.

I loved how the story unfolded.  I stayed up way too late last night to finish it because I didn't want to sleep until knew everything.  Of course, now I am desperate for the next book because I was left with a "to be continued . . . "  Boo.  I sure hope the author is writing that next book!!

Content:  peril, violence, kissing

This book is on KU!

Second Look (Griffin Force) by Julie Coulter Bellon

When the most wanted terrorist in the world escapes from a high security prison, Nate Hughes is part of the task force sent to recapture him. During the mission, he meets Abby, a fellow investigator that seems to have it all together. He's drawn to her and hopes they can join forces, but when her past is revealed, loyalties are called into question. Could she have turned against the country she once held dear?

The CIA wants her captured and interrogated, but with a terrorist attack imminent, Abby may be the only person in a position to help them stop it. Nate must make a choice to either trust her or turn her in---but the wrong decision would clear the path for the largest attack on freedom the world has ever seen.

And time is running out.

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Author Julie Coulter Bellon is one of my very favorite authors in the romantic suspense genre.  I love this Griffin Force series and I'm always so excited when a new one comes out.

Each book in this series can stand alone but you might have more fun if you read this series in order because there is some continuation of secondary characters.

Abby is one smart lady.  Honestly, I know there are people out in the world right now doing exactly what Abby did in this book and it honestly just boggles my mind.  Smart, brave, dedicated people, willing to give all for the fight of freedom and justice.  It makes me feel so lame and weak, but so grateful too.  Anyway, back to Abby.  Smarty pants Abby.  And Nate, who believes in her from the moment he meets her.  I love how Nate trusts his gut and those feeling inside him and how his whole team supports him.  It's awesome.

This story had me so invested from beginning to end.  I loved the fantastic forward momentum that hardly left me any time to breathe.  I had moments of full anxiety and then moments of sweet love.  It was exactly what I was hoping for.

Content:  violence, sweet kissing

- I picked this book up on Kindle Unlimited

The Capture (Griffin Force #3) by Julie Coulter Bellon

Julian Bennet, head of Griffin Force, finally finds love with Zaya Altes, but the day he buys her an engagement ring, international terrorist Nazer al-Raimi abducts her. Getting her back consumes him, yet it takes nearly six months to find her. The daring mission to extract her from a hidden prison in Afghanistan is successful, but Zaya has suffered during captivity. Though she’s grateful to Julian for breaking her out, she wants nothing to do with him. Before he can show her how much he still loves her, Nazer finds them and vows revenge. Can Julian keep Zaya safe and still stop Nazer once and for all?

Zaya Altes nearly gave up hope of ever being rescued, but when Griffin Force finally finds her, returning to life is harder than she imagined. While her feelings for Julian are as strong as ever, she feels too broken to recapture what they once had. Instead, Zaya jumps at a chance to trap Nazer, wanting vengeance for what she’s endured. As the final showdown draws near, however, Zaya will have to make an unimaginable choice to let Nazer close to her again. But when a shocking web of betrayal is uncovered in their own ranks, their one chance to capture him is compromised. Julian and Zaya will put everything on the line, but can they survive this ultimate test and finally reach for their chance at happiness?

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Julie Bellon is one of my favorite authors in the romantic suspense genre.  Well, she's one of my favorites period.  :)  I really love her military suspense books- they are full of action, danger and excellent characters that I just can't help but love.  This book is part of a series, but it can stand alone.  I would recommend reading the whole series though, it's worth it!

This book starts off with Zaya being held hostage by a terrorist organization.  She is tortured, starved and near death.  I know this is a fictional book but I also know that these things happen today and I am in awe of people who are brave enough to face these things or even the chance of these things when they go to work each day.  I would never survive it, but how grateful I am that there are people better than me.  Freedom is an amazing gift given by people that this book represents.

Anyway, back to the book.  Ha.  SO GOOD!  Zaya, brave and strong.  She holds on in horrific circumstances for so long, waiting to be rescued.  Julian is desperate to find Zaya, not only his teammate, but his love.  Julian is all things strong and good.  He fights for Zaya and tries so hard to provide her with everything he thinks she will need for her recovery.  I loved the dynamics of their relationship.  Watching Zaya come to terms with some of the things that happened and realize her limitations and her strengths were endearing.  I just loved her.

This book is full of action and suspense, but it's also full of moments where I have time to breathe and connect with the characters.  I wasn't tense the whole book.  The ending was explosive and so satisfying.

If you haven't read anything by Julie Bellon, you really need to.  She is a fantastic author and I'm always on the lookout for her next book. 

Content:  some violence, torture (but nothing too graphic), kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

New Release! The Captain (Griffin Force #2) by Julie Coulter Bellon

Captain Colt Mitchell is part of the elite Griffin Force team hunting down terrorist Nazer al-Raimi. After an attack on the Canadian Parliament buildings, the team gets good intel on Nazer’s whereabouts. They plan to grab him, but when the mission goes wrong, Colt is captured and dragged away. Bruised, restrained, and disoriented, Colt is stunned to see Brenna Wilson, the Canadian intelligence officer who broke his heart years ago, standing next to Nazer. But how deep is she in the operation and can she help Colt escape?

After the devastating attack on Canadian soil, Brenna is recruited to go undercover to find out what Nazer is planning next. She’s close to her goal until her former flame Colt Mitchell is taken hostage. Walking away from him has always been her biggest regret and she knows she has to save him, even if it blows her mission. Taking matters into her own hands, she pulls off a daring escape, but Colt and Brenna must learn to trust each other again if they want to stay alive. With their hearts and their lives on the line can they survive long enough to stop Nazer from ravaging another country’s sense of security?

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I always feel like such a lucky girl to be able to read and review for Julie Bellon.  Her books are so good- full of military suspense and action but not in an overly graphic way.  I love the bit of romance that weaves it's way through the story.  It's never the center stage but in this case, it was the driving force behind the way the events unfolded.

Colt and Brenna have a history.  They knew each other intimately before but went their separate ways due to Brenna's choices.  Imagine coming face to face with the person you loved when you are a hostage and she is undercover as a slave.  Wild set up, that.  

This book has awesome pacing- never a dull or droopy moment.  I love that.  I started the book dropped right into the very thick of things and it just never let up.  I was completely engaged the whole time.  It left me wondering at the end if that was a shorter book because it felt like it was over too fast.  So good.  I love this series!

Content:  Clean romance, some violence (torture, death, injuries, drugging)

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

The Captive (Griffin Force #1) by Julie Coulter Bellon

Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications–something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?

Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father’s enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she’ll do anything to bring her home–including walking into the enemy’s lair. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he’s the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?

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It is always a happy day when I get to sit down and read one of Julie Bellon's books.  New releases from her are like Christmas for me.  Lucky me, I got to read this book over the Christmas holiday so it was like Christmas and Christmas for me!  :)

This book is the beginning of a new series but still brings the same elements that I've come to know and expect from Julie Bellon.  There is always action and mild suspense along with the romance in her books and this book was no different.

Jake is all things a male lead should be.  Strong, brave, smart, handsome and determined to keep people safe.  He is a take charge kind of guy but he is also kind.  Especially to Mya when she doesn't really look to deserve it.  I really loved Jake consistently in all situations.

Mya was a bit more prickly but it's her moments of weakness that helped me connect with her.  That and her love for her family.

I read through this book quickly and was a bit sad to see it come to an end.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in books by Julie Bellon.  She is one of my favorites!