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The Night Stalkers #3
Wait Until Dark
Name: Big John Wallace
Rank: Staff Sergeant, Chief Mechanic and Gunner
Mission: To serve and protect his crew and country.
Name: Connie Davis
Rank: Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Mechanical Wizard
Mission: To be the best...and survive.
Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis's way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they'll fly into the night together-ready or not.
Rank: Staff Sergeant, Chief Mechanic and Gunner
Mission: To serve and protect his crew and country.
Name: Connie Davis
Rank: Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Mechanical Wizard
Mission: To be the best...and survive.
Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis's way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they'll fly into the night together-ready or not.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 5, 2013
79 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Buchman
313 books609 followersUSA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller M. L. “Matt” Buchman started writing on a flight south from Japan to ride his bicycle across the Australian Outback. Just part of a solo around-the-world trip that ultimately launched his writing career.
From the very beginning, his powerful female heroines insisted on putting character first, then a great adventure. He’s since written over 60 action-adventure thrillers and military romantic suspense novels. And just for the fun of it: 100 short stories, and a fast-growing pile of read-by-author audiobooks.
Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 of the Year.” PW says: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” His fans say: “I want more now…of everything.” That his characters are even more insistent than his fans is a hoot.
As a 30-year project manager with a geophysics degree who has designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, and solo-sailed a 50’ ketch, he is awed by what is possible. More at: www.mlbuchman.com.
From the very beginning, his powerful female heroines insisted on putting character first, then a great adventure. He’s since written over 60 action-adventure thrillers and military romantic suspense novels. And just for the fun of it: 100 short stories, and a fast-growing pile of read-by-author audiobooks.
Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 of the Year.” PW says: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” His fans say: “I want more now…of everything.” That his characters are even more insistent than his fans is a hoot.
As a 30-year project manager with a geophysics degree who has designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, and solo-sailed a 50’ ketch, he is awed by what is possible. More at: www.mlbuchman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 18, 2016
I was interested in reading Big John and Connie's story because they seemed intriguing from the later books in the series. I liked the idea of a heroine who is very shy and how that would play out in a romance. It was different from what I thought. I don't think that calling Connie shy is adequate. She not so much shy as socially awkward and withdrawn from others. Because of her father's death and their lifestyle, Connie has never connected with others very well. People get a mistaken impression of her and her withdrawn nature and her extreme brilliance puts people off. John at first, doesn't like Connie, but he's fascinated with her. The more time they spend together, working side by side as mechanics in the SOAR unit, the more they get to know each other, and a romantic relationship develops.
My problem was that Connie stays too remote in the book for me. I didn't feel connected to her, and so that made it hard for me to buy into the relationship on a deeper level.
The action was good, although most of it was later in the book. There are some very tense moments as the team has to deal with some nukes in the wrong hands. I liked how Connie stepped up to the plate and gained a big win for the team, and also it did help her to see that John was worth taking a risk on. People die, all the time, but withdrawing and refusing to feel doesn't necessarily protect you from loss. You just end up being alone.
Not my favorite in the series, but I liked it.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
My problem was that Connie stays too remote in the book for me. I didn't feel connected to her, and so that made it hard for me to buy into the relationship on a deeper level.
The action was good, although most of it was later in the book. There are some very tense moments as the team has to deal with some nukes in the wrong hands. I liked how Connie stepped up to the plate and gained a big win for the team, and also it did help her to see that John was worth taking a risk on. People die, all the time, but withdrawing and refusing to feel doesn't necessarily protect you from loss. You just end up being alone.
Not my favorite in the series, but I liked it.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
February 1, 2013
My Review:
I've said it twice before (on the other two reviews for the books in this series) and I'm going to say it again....I LOVE this series. I am not normally a reader that likes a lot of description or detail and these books have that, BUT it works for me. I don't know if it's the whole military aspect (which I truly do love after spending 20 years listening to dh's stories from work) or if it's just ML Buchman's writing voice, but I love the feel that I get when reading these books. I've never in my life even been in a helicopter, but I can picture each and every aspect that he describes of these...and it's interesting. Believe me, I've spent my life going to military airspace museums....this is not something that I normally find real exciting, but ML writes the details about these helicopters in a way that I really enjoy.
But let's get to the heart of the book: Connie and John. Connie is not a normal part of these crews. She's been brought in to fill in for Kee (heroine from Book #2) who is on her honeymoon. Not being part of the group is a normal thing for Connie. She's always been different, an outsider. She's incredibly good at her job, but the nature of the high-risk missions that these crews go on means that everyone on the team has to be able to work together, fit in like a well-oiled machine. Connie's history is a lot of what sets her apart. Her mother died when she was three, her soldier father was KIA when she was 13. She never really ever had a place to belong, to fit in, to call home where she could be herself. Connie's tough, but at her heart, she's a girl dying to fit in...not only in John's life, but in these teams. Watching her when she'd breakdown was just heartbreaking, but *sigh* I loved it when Big John would come in and swoop her up...even when he was angry with her.
Big John is the opposite of Connie. Everyone loves him and he's instant friends with just about anybody who walks up to him. What first catches his eye about Connie is her incredible mechanical skill. She spots things and hears thing in the engines before him...and that's never happened before. He comes from an extremely close-knit Oklahoma family that we get to see very closely in the middle of the book. I liked that little insight into how different his home life was from Connie's. I loved this guy and how he would sit back and just observe Connie trying to figure her out...and eventually succeeding at it.
The thing I love most about these books is the teams that fly these helicopters. The teams of SOAR are the best at what they do and they've gone through the training and missions to do it. These are the guys that are always getting shot at on a daily basis on the front lines. As a result, they form a bond that's incredibly strong. I love to watch the way they all interact throughout these books. This one was especially good because the strife between Connie and John reflect back on that team. Their team is headed up by Major Emily Beale (heroine from Book #1) and I loved how much we got to see of her in this book, especially the interactions between her and her husband, Major Henderson. *major swoon here...gah, I love how they continue to be so good together even two books later*
My number one love, love, LOVE about these books is that they truly show the stresses that military members go through, especially the incredible highly trained Spec Ops guys. These guys are out there every day risking their lives for the American way of life and it's an amazing thing. Just reading these books makes me love them more for their sacrifices that they make, day in and day out. A military life is not easy, but for those guys (and girls) on the front lines, they are doing it and doing it damn good! Thank you, ML Buchman, for this series, for these characters, and these stories. I'm hoping that Tim falls in love next...I spotted a certain auburn haired pilot who seemed to catch his eye....
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I've said it twice before (on the other two reviews for the books in this series) and I'm going to say it again....I LOVE this series. I am not normally a reader that likes a lot of description or detail and these books have that, BUT it works for me. I don't know if it's the whole military aspect (which I truly do love after spending 20 years listening to dh's stories from work) or if it's just ML Buchman's writing voice, but I love the feel that I get when reading these books. I've never in my life even been in a helicopter, but I can picture each and every aspect that he describes of these...and it's interesting. Believe me, I've spent my life going to military airspace museums....this is not something that I normally find real exciting, but ML writes the details about these helicopters in a way that I really enjoy.
But let's get to the heart of the book: Connie and John. Connie is not a normal part of these crews. She's been brought in to fill in for Kee (heroine from Book #2) who is on her honeymoon. Not being part of the group is a normal thing for Connie. She's always been different, an outsider. She's incredibly good at her job, but the nature of the high-risk missions that these crews go on means that everyone on the team has to be able to work together, fit in like a well-oiled machine. Connie's history is a lot of what sets her apart. Her mother died when she was three, her soldier father was KIA when she was 13. She never really ever had a place to belong, to fit in, to call home where she could be herself. Connie's tough, but at her heart, she's a girl dying to fit in...not only in John's life, but in these teams. Watching her when she'd breakdown was just heartbreaking, but *sigh* I loved it when Big John would come in and swoop her up...even when he was angry with her.
Big John is the opposite of Connie. Everyone loves him and he's instant friends with just about anybody who walks up to him. What first catches his eye about Connie is her incredible mechanical skill. She spots things and hears thing in the engines before him...and that's never happened before. He comes from an extremely close-knit Oklahoma family that we get to see very closely in the middle of the book. I liked that little insight into how different his home life was from Connie's. I loved this guy and how he would sit back and just observe Connie trying to figure her out...and eventually succeeding at it.
The thing I love most about these books is the teams that fly these helicopters. The teams of SOAR are the best at what they do and they've gone through the training and missions to do it. These are the guys that are always getting shot at on a daily basis on the front lines. As a result, they form a bond that's incredibly strong. I love to watch the way they all interact throughout these books. This one was especially good because the strife between Connie and John reflect back on that team. Their team is headed up by Major Emily Beale (heroine from Book #1) and I loved how much we got to see of her in this book, especially the interactions between her and her husband, Major Henderson. *major swoon here...gah, I love how they continue to be so good together even two books later*
My number one love, love, LOVE about these books is that they truly show the stresses that military members go through, especially the incredible highly trained Spec Ops guys. These guys are out there every day risking their lives for the American way of life and it's an amazing thing. Just reading these books makes me love them more for their sacrifices that they make, day in and day out. A military life is not easy, but for those guys (and girls) on the front lines, they are doing it and doing it damn good! Thank you, ML Buchman, for this series, for these characters, and these stories. I'm hoping that Tim falls in love next...I spotted a certain auburn haired pilot who seemed to catch his eye....
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 1, 2013
Book Blurb:
Name: Big John Wallace
Rank: Staff Sergeant, Chief Mechanic and Gunner
Mission: To serve and protect his crew and country.
Name: Connie Davis
Rank: Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Mechanical Wizard
Mission: To be the best...and survive.
Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission
Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis's way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they'll fly into the night together—ready or not.
My Review
Sergeant Connie Davis is a chief mechanic for a special forces helicopter unit (Night Stalkers). Having lost both her parents at a young age, Connie has never really had any other family. Her life has consisted of a mechanical career, first on helicopters then in the military on a helicopter. Never developing emotional attachments, Connie’s life has been spent mostly alone even when in a group.
Staff Sergeant “Big” John Wallace is a flight engineer. He doesn’t know what to make of the reclusive and virtually silent Connie Davis. She is extremely intelligent and seems to be almost in tune with the mechanics around her. Learning his new team mate may teach him more than he expected.
Their Night Stalker team is chosen for a top secret mission. Connie must learn to lean on those in her team or they just might not survive an explosive threat.
I found this a slow building, captivating life story that took hold in a rather stealthy manner. Wait Until Dark was highly descriptive and the obvious familiarity with military enhanced the story telling. My heart hurt of Connie as she faced her demons, demons her life had placed in her path. I loved watching John’s patience and understanding, when dealing with Connie’s peculiarity. Peculiarity, that made her unique and special if you only just looked.
I did not read any other books in this series and had no problem following this story. It definitely can stand alone with no assistance although I will be back reading this series because I really enjoyed M.L. Buchman’s writing and want more. Wait Until Dark is a 5 Star Military Romance!
This ARC copy of Wait Until Dark was given to me by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date Feb. 1, 2013.
Name: Big John Wallace
Rank: Staff Sergeant, Chief Mechanic and Gunner
Mission: To serve and protect his crew and country.
Name: Connie Davis
Rank: Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Mechanical Wizard
Mission: To be the best...and survive.
Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission
Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis's way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they'll fly into the night together—ready or not.
My Review
Sergeant Connie Davis is a chief mechanic for a special forces helicopter unit (Night Stalkers). Having lost both her parents at a young age, Connie has never really had any other family. Her life has consisted of a mechanical career, first on helicopters then in the military on a helicopter. Never developing emotional attachments, Connie’s life has been spent mostly alone even when in a group.
Staff Sergeant “Big” John Wallace is a flight engineer. He doesn’t know what to make of the reclusive and virtually silent Connie Davis. She is extremely intelligent and seems to be almost in tune with the mechanics around her. Learning his new team mate may teach him more than he expected.
Their Night Stalker team is chosen for a top secret mission. Connie must learn to lean on those in her team or they just might not survive an explosive threat.
I found this a slow building, captivating life story that took hold in a rather stealthy manner. Wait Until Dark was highly descriptive and the obvious familiarity with military enhanced the story telling. My heart hurt of Connie as she faced her demons, demons her life had placed in her path. I loved watching John’s patience and understanding, when dealing with Connie’s peculiarity. Peculiarity, that made her unique and special if you only just looked.
I did not read any other books in this series and had no problem following this story. It definitely can stand alone with no assistance although I will be back reading this series because I really enjoyed M.L. Buchman’s writing and want more. Wait Until Dark is a 5 Star Military Romance!
This ARC copy of Wait Until Dark was given to me by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date Feb. 1, 2013.
May 7, 2016
This was a lot more mellow than other book and had a little more angst than I expected but still provided the level of tactical detail and military knowledge I have come to love and expect from M.L. Buchman.
john's heart is a big as he is and Connie made the heart ache for a little girl who'd had little love in her life and lost the center of her world at a young age, a woman whose life had been so barren that she couldn't recognize and accept affection when it was in front of her, but still loved hard just the same.
I'm practically inhaling this series and can't seem to get into any other book for long without coming back here.
john's heart is a big as he is and Connie made the heart ache for a little girl who'd had little love in her life and lost the center of her world at a young age, a woman whose life had been so barren that she couldn't recognize and accept affection when it was in front of her, but still loved hard just the same.
I'm practically inhaling this series and can't seem to get into any other book for long without coming back here.
December 30, 2021
12/30/2021 – review of updated version. Note: While each book stands on its own and covers a couple’s story completely – these are best read in order because characters are introduced in previous books. Starting with The Night is Mine.
I also thought it important to share the author’s note on the re-release:
"I’m thrilled to be able to offer this title in its original/revised form. Connie is one of my favorite characters (partly based on the single smartest person I ever met–she was amazing). In the original and present form Connie falls for the massive, African-American helicopter mechanic from Oklahoma. In the previously published form, my publisher wouldn’t permit an interracial couple (in 2013 for crying out loud). I’m so glad to be able to return Big John Wallace to his former/proper race. It doesn’t change the story much, but it fixes the fact that I didn’t (as a meek baby author) fight such racism when I should have." - M.L. Buchman
While most of the couples have a special place in my heart… Connie is especially dear. Her visit home with John and the almost immediate bond she has with his family is so amazing. Like many of the other characters she’s carrying strong burdens of loss and not living up to perceived expectations. Without even trying, she impresses John and he’s immediately intrigued.
When they become more than just teammates and then more than friends – the consequences of what that means to both of them threatens to break them apart. Buchman is so good with the emotional impact in this book. Several places had me wiping away tears. And wanting to give Connie a big ol’ hug. Connie & John both have amazing strength and vulnerability. Their road to happiness is an amazing read.
PLUS – we get lots of action/thriller scenes throughout. Buchman does a great job again of balancing & pacing between military action and romance. It’s easy to get sucked in and read these in a day or two.
I can’t wait for Tim & Lola’s story, Take Over at Midnight.
I also thought it important to share the author’s note on the re-release:
"I’m thrilled to be able to offer this title in its original/revised form. Connie is one of my favorite characters (partly based on the single smartest person I ever met–she was amazing). In the original and present form Connie falls for the massive, African-American helicopter mechanic from Oklahoma. In the previously published form, my publisher wouldn’t permit an interracial couple (in 2013 for crying out loud). I’m so glad to be able to return Big John Wallace to his former/proper race. It doesn’t change the story much, but it fixes the fact that I didn’t (as a meek baby author) fight such racism when I should have." - M.L. Buchman
While most of the couples have a special place in my heart… Connie is especially dear. Her visit home with John and the almost immediate bond she has with his family is so amazing. Like many of the other characters she’s carrying strong burdens of loss and not living up to perceived expectations. Without even trying, she impresses John and he’s immediately intrigued.
When they become more than just teammates and then more than friends – the consequences of what that means to both of them threatens to break them apart. Buchman is so good with the emotional impact in this book. Several places had me wiping away tears. And wanting to give Connie a big ol’ hug. Connie & John both have amazing strength and vulnerability. Their road to happiness is an amazing read.
PLUS – we get lots of action/thriller scenes throughout. Buchman does a great job again of balancing & pacing between military action and romance. It’s easy to get sucked in and read these in a day or two.
I can’t wait for Tim & Lola’s story, Take Over at Midnight.
Read
January 22, 2013I made it 20% and this book has no plot. None.
And the military jargon is way too much in this one.
No interest. DNFing.
Think I'm going to have to stop with this series. First book was fun, but otherwise I've been disappointed.
And the military jargon is way too much in this one.
No interest. DNFing.
Think I'm going to have to stop with this series. First book was fun, but otherwise I've been disappointed.
July 7, 2017
Meh. I cannot believe the most elite military group would not have weeded out such a emotionally unstable person as the heroine. I have liked the previous books and like the underlying suspense story lines so I will continue the series
September 7, 2016
Like some of the other reviewers, I found this book a little bit more difficult to follow due to the detail of some of the mechanics of everything. And Connie as a heroine was a little bit harder for me to warm up to. But in a way, that just made the payoff that much more rewarding. After all, the whole point of Connie was that she could reel off specs and formulas like nobody's business, but she couldn't quite relate to the human beings around her. And Big John (although with that nickname I had a hard time getting a burly mountain man out of my head, which wasn't, I think, the persona that I was supposed to get into), with his mechanical mind but huge heart, is the one man on earth who can see both those parts of her. HEA indeed.
I suppose the mechanics should have taken this down a notch or two for me, but as I've said before, I base my ratings on how hard it is for me to put a book down and, darn it, if I could have justified calling in sick in order to finish this book I would have. As it was, I stayed up WAY too late two nights in a row.
Some highlights for me were the visit home -- one of my favorite families ever (oh, how I hope we get a Noreen book!), and the integration of Connie into that was just beautiful. We don't get too much of Kee and Archie, but that was o.k. with me. The scenes with "the Majors" (a few of which were from Emily's POV), more than made up for it. The poker scenes, ditto.
I am so tempted to move directly on to Night Stalkers #4, but #5 isn't out yet (I don't think) and I need to savor for now so I am forcing myself to hold back.
I suppose the mechanics should have taken this down a notch or two for me, but as I've said before, I base my ratings on how hard it is for me to put a book down and, darn it, if I could have justified calling in sick in order to finish this book I would have. As it was, I stayed up WAY too late two nights in a row.
Some highlights for me were the visit home -- one of my favorite families ever (oh, how I hope we get a Noreen book!), and the integration of Connie into that was just beautiful. We don't get too much of Kee and Archie, but that was o.k. with me. The scenes with "the Majors" (a few of which were from Emily's POV), more than made up for it. The poker scenes, ditto.
I am so tempted to move directly on to Night Stalkers #4, but #5 isn't out yet (I don't think) and I need to savor for now so I am forcing myself to hold back.
May 26, 2015
I didn't read the other books in this series and I didn't feel lost so you can read them out of order I suppose. It was hard for me to do that because I am the type of person that likes to go in order but I didn't this time.
It over all was a pretty okay book. I love a great military story...that being said...this was a bit much for me. I understand that it is a military story but I felt like I was reading gibberish. Now my husband was in the Marine Corps so I guess if it were written about a Marine Grunt I would have understood the talk. All the stuff at the beginning almost turned me off but I don't like not finishing a story so I pushed through and read ... there were a few other spots that I felt lost and felt as though it was too much "shop talk" for me. I don't doubt that for a wife who has a husband that has done that job in the military they would probably LOVE this. I on the other hand did not.
Over all it was okay. It was sweet at the end, but it was hard for me to get into at first.
It over all was a pretty okay book. I love a great military story...that being said...this was a bit much for me. I understand that it is a military story but I felt like I was reading gibberish. Now my husband was in the Marine Corps so I guess if it were written about a Marine Grunt I would have understood the talk. All the stuff at the beginning almost turned me off but I don't like not finishing a story so I pushed through and read ... there were a few other spots that I felt lost and felt as though it was too much "shop talk" for me. I don't doubt that for a wife who has a husband that has done that job in the military they would probably LOVE this. I on the other hand did not.
Over all it was okay. It was sweet at the end, but it was hard for me to get into at first.
January 3, 2013
DNF
I so wanted to like this book, but 25% in and all there was were looks and one kiss, it may not have even been far from sexy action but it was just to military talk for me. The characters I liked but just didn't get all the special op talk, all quite technical and too much for me.
This was my first try at military romance and obviously military books not for me :(
If you like military books this is possibly a great book as characters were likeable just very military!
Can I just apologise for using the word military so much!.
**I received this book from net galley for an honest review.**
I so wanted to like this book, but 25% in and all there was were looks and one kiss, it may not have even been far from sexy action but it was just to military talk for me. The characters I liked but just didn't get all the special op talk, all quite technical and too much for me.
This was my first try at military romance and obviously military books not for me :(
If you like military books this is possibly a great book as characters were likeable just very military!
Can I just apologise for using the word military so much!.
**I received this book from net galley for an honest review.**
October 19, 2016
Choppy story
Just had a hard time with this one. Characters were stiff and unappealing. The descriptive paragraphs on helicopters and military jargon were overdone and did not move the story along.
Just had a hard time with this one. Characters were stiff and unappealing. The descriptive paragraphs on helicopters and military jargon were overdone and did not move the story along.
August 20, 2023
Just exceptional story-telling. I love the series which probably should be read in order because it enhances the tightness of these teams; creates tighter story continuity. Plus he writes such strong characters, especially females, that I like knowing more about them in later books. The author writes great military detail, knowledge of operations, also balanced off with deeply felt romance. This one starts and ends with military action while the rest of the story is devoted to Connie and John.
April 22, 2021
Another great read. Again like the others, love the characters and the story. I do like a good romance book but I always have a soft spot on a good read with powerful women. In this case they fall in love but they maintain their “bad ass“ personality. I had to enjoy the moment they were at big bad John’s home farm in Muskogee Oklahoma because that is where my wife was born. Loved the part and totally Oklahoma is the day before the day before.
November 2, 2024
Confident, well-adjusted, big, funny man falls in love with Connie, the emotionally shuttered, socially awkward, most amazing mechanic on the planet. Not too much action until the end but it was a good emotional story with plenty of engineering details that don’t make it too mushy.
Connie was really out of this world though. Too strong too smart too absolute. I wondered if this is what you got when you had a male author. Hmm?
Connie was really out of this world though. Too strong too smart too absolute. I wondered if this is what you got when you had a male author. Hmm?
November 25, 2016
This romantic suspense had a heroine with an interesting personality and exciting action at the beginning and end but it had too much down time in the middle and with all the technical jargon it didn't keep my attention like the other books in the series. John and Connie are co-mechanics on an elite military helicopter team.
April 12, 2018
What your childhood brings to your adult life can be traumatic, heartbreaking and can mess you up. Connie is one deep fighter and survivor. John is a special guy and het savior. Was surprised about Clay and did not see the ending that happened to Emily coming. Looking forward to the next book
April 6, 2019
Connie was so mean and just awful to John. After the death of a family member, she leaves abruptly without saying goodbye so poor John is left without her to deal with it. What kind of awful person does that?
John deserved someone more emotionally available.
John deserved someone more emotionally available.
October 17, 2019
Back to danger and good plot. Yes, there is love stuff, but the military stuff is great. It held my interest all the way, couldn't put it down.
June 20, 2020
I’m noticing a trend: insecure woman with issues meets man with some issues but together they overcome. I still thoroughly enjoy the romantic military action. Mechanics Connie and Big John.
library
July 30, 20210
September 5, 2014
Originally published at Book Lovers Inc.
M.L. Buchman's Night Stalkers series anticipated the U.S. military's removal of the ban on women in combat positions by casting three women as warriors in the Night Stalker squadron in what I suspect is well ahead of actual events. Notice I said "combat positions" and not just "combat". In the modern era of warfare, there is no defined front line. Women are serving in combat. They just haven't been able to be recognized for it when promotions come around in these days of the "all-volunteer" army.
Somewhere in fiction-land, Sam Carter is smiling.
Each book in Buchman's Night Stalkers series has focused on one of the four seats in a four-seater DAP Black Hawk helicopter. So far we've seen the pilot and the co-pilot find their HEAs. This time it's the Chief Mechanic, Big John Wallace's turn. Big John has been a mainstay of the crew so far, so it's only fitting that he should finally get his chance at a happy ending.The thing about the story is that John really isn't the point-of-view character. That position is reserved for Connie Davis, the temporary replacement mechanic taking over for Kee Stevenson while she's on her honeymoon.
And Connie is a closed book. We spend a lot of the story, not just waiting for dark, but waiting for Connie to open up a little, even to herself.
Connie is in a LOT of pain. Most of the Night Stalkers have something traumatic in the pasts, either the reason they strove so damn hard to join SOAR, or something that happened after they got there. But Connie is so closed off that she doesn't let much daylight in, even in the privacy of her own head.
This story is a lot like jokes about being in the Army, "hurry up and wait".
Connie refuses to get close to anyone. She refuses to let anyone close to her. And we really don't know why. She doesn't let herself feel anything. Again, the explanations are left unrevealed because she just won't go there, even to herself.
While I admire Connie's tenacity, it makes her damn frustrating as a heroine. Big John is also the strong, silent type. We've basically got two people who don't talk much, even in the privacy of their own minds.
The way their relationship begins is that they are able to fix the helicopter without needing to ask each other for tools or parts--they are just that in sync. It scares her and intrigues him. But it doesn't give us readers much to work with.
Then John takes Connie home with him on leave, not because he necessarily thinks they might start something, even though he's finally begun to see her in that light...but because he's finally gotten through her silent withdrawals to realize that the woman has absolutely nowhere to go. At all.
Never has, and has no expectation that she ever will. Connie has no belief that a soldier can have a future. John and his family teach her otherwise.
John finally gets it through her head, and her heart, that there's a future worth fighting for.
And not just a mission worth dying for.
Verdict: Unlike the first two Night Stalker books, this one had a surprisingly slow start. The action doesn't pick up until John takes Connie home with him, and then it's more about her reactions to his family than the romance.
There is a romance, but it's of the slow and steadily developing kind. They do get there, but neither of them are people who wear their hearts on their sleeve. This story is a lot more about Connie coming to believe that love and happiness are something worth fighting for.
One of the best parts of this series as a whole is that the women are soldiers every bit as much as the men. There's a scene in the book that gave me chills. John's younger sister graduates ROTC and becomes an officer. Connie arranges to be the first enlisted person to salute her. It's tradition. But instead of seeing an "old boy's network", we see an "old girl's network" start to rise. Very cool.
I give Wait Until Dark 3 and 1/2 shining stars! Somebody needs to salute!
M.L. Buchman's Night Stalkers series anticipated the U.S. military's removal of the ban on women in combat positions by casting three women as warriors in the Night Stalker squadron in what I suspect is well ahead of actual events. Notice I said "combat positions" and not just "combat". In the modern era of warfare, there is no defined front line. Women are serving in combat. They just haven't been able to be recognized for it when promotions come around in these days of the "all-volunteer" army.
Somewhere in fiction-land, Sam Carter is smiling.
Each book in Buchman's Night Stalkers series has focused on one of the four seats in a four-seater DAP Black Hawk helicopter. So far we've seen the pilot and the co-pilot find their HEAs. This time it's the Chief Mechanic, Big John Wallace's turn. Big John has been a mainstay of the crew so far, so it's only fitting that he should finally get his chance at a happy ending.The thing about the story is that John really isn't the point-of-view character. That position is reserved for Connie Davis, the temporary replacement mechanic taking over for Kee Stevenson while she's on her honeymoon.
And Connie is a closed book. We spend a lot of the story, not just waiting for dark, but waiting for Connie to open up a little, even to herself.
Connie is in a LOT of pain. Most of the Night Stalkers have something traumatic in the pasts, either the reason they strove so damn hard to join SOAR, or something that happened after they got there. But Connie is so closed off that she doesn't let much daylight in, even in the privacy of her own head.
This story is a lot like jokes about being in the Army, "hurry up and wait".
Connie refuses to get close to anyone. She refuses to let anyone close to her. And we really don't know why. She doesn't let herself feel anything. Again, the explanations are left unrevealed because she just won't go there, even to herself.
While I admire Connie's tenacity, it makes her damn frustrating as a heroine. Big John is also the strong, silent type. We've basically got two people who don't talk much, even in the privacy of their own minds.
The way their relationship begins is that they are able to fix the helicopter without needing to ask each other for tools or parts--they are just that in sync. It scares her and intrigues him. But it doesn't give us readers much to work with.
Then John takes Connie home with him on leave, not because he necessarily thinks they might start something, even though he's finally begun to see her in that light...but because he's finally gotten through her silent withdrawals to realize that the woman has absolutely nowhere to go. At all.
Never has, and has no expectation that she ever will. Connie has no belief that a soldier can have a future. John and his family teach her otherwise.
John finally gets it through her head, and her heart, that there's a future worth fighting for.
And not just a mission worth dying for.
Verdict: Unlike the first two Night Stalker books, this one had a surprisingly slow start. The action doesn't pick up until John takes Connie home with him, and then it's more about her reactions to his family than the romance.
There is a romance, but it's of the slow and steadily developing kind. They do get there, but neither of them are people who wear their hearts on their sleeve. This story is a lot more about Connie coming to believe that love and happiness are something worth fighting for.
One of the best parts of this series as a whole is that the women are soldiers every bit as much as the men. There's a scene in the book that gave me chills. John's younger sister graduates ROTC and becomes an officer. Connie arranges to be the first enlisted person to salute her. It's tradition. But instead of seeing an "old boy's network", we see an "old girl's network" start to rise. Very cool.
I give Wait Until Dark 3 and 1/2 shining stars! Somebody needs to salute!
January 19, 2015
Setting: Viper and Vengeance – two military, high tech, helicopters; Bati, north of Pakistan; Tonopah Test Range Airport: Fort Campbell, Kentucky; home ranch in Tulsa;
Theme: finding where you can belong – and to whom you can belong to… ahhh; watching, understanding; love;
Characters:
Sergeant Connie Davis: out of sync with people; eidetic memory; father military – she loved him, he loved her, he taught her what he knew… when he was home; he died when she was 10, she went to live with an indifferent grandmother; believed there was something more to her father’s death – so she hired on as mechanical engineer at the two companies that built his helicopter, but found that all was well there… joined the military, and finally proved self to be backup to SOAR ; quiet, observer, still doesn’t fit in (a page that describes the dining sitting arrangements, and she has no place for herself – later on, invited to sit with John);
Staff Sergeant Big John Wallace: mechanic; his partner on maternity leave, so Connie temporarily assigned to his team; though they don’t talk, he finds her peaceful, and she is always anticipating – so they work in total harmony;
Major Emily Beale / Major Henderson : SOAR legends; they pilot to two team helicopters; Connie on her heli;
Second Lieutenant Noreen Wallace: John’s younger sister, who has joined the military – following in her brother’s footsteps… making him proud;
Grumps: farmed the land, still lived on in by the fourth generation; he befriends Connie easiest, taking her to the tractor that his father bought when he was 12, and used for 30 years to farm, until replaced by more modern contraptions… he sits and watches, while she restores it – often with John’s help; she (and John) are devastated when he dies, quietly, sitting on the tractor, after it is presented to the park – and she runs, again not feeling as if she fits in…
Lola LaRue: new SOAR member – meet at end – next book?
Summary:
They fly two missions… they fly two tests… they test new visual equipment…
And Connie’s half a step ahead when needed – hearing the blade about to break, figuring a way around it, figuring out how to retrieve an unknown 3rd nuclear device;
And along the way, they fall in love – though neither will name their feelings for the other as such… each caught in their own definitions of self… but they cannot ignore the feelings and finally come to acceptance and connection.
Memorable scenes:
‘Standing next to John, she felt that weightless moment she’d missed whenjumping out of the back of the C-17 Globemaster III. That incredible sense of flying.”
“His world went quiet around her. Not as if he didn’t want to speak, bus as if he didn’t need to.”
She sat somewhere inside her own skin and watched the world. She’d first been aware of this at Fort Rucker’s day care. At five years old, she’d observed herself, as if a separate person, carefully drawing precise diagrams. Others grabbed crayons in fists and made flowers, houses, fighter planes dropping outsized bombs, or just scribbled muti-hued swirls.”
“Just a breath of night air between their shoulders. Quiet. The wayhe was sometimes. When he was happiest. When he was with her.”
But then she’d looked up and seen John’s face. She’d seen another woman. Another Connie. She’d seen the one loved by a man. The one that someday would bear his children. And while she watched their grandchildren lie in his strong arms, Connie and Noreen would look at the fify-year coin, now a hundred years old. The coin Connie still had buttoned in her pocket. She had seen herself with a future. With John.”
Theme: finding where you can belong – and to whom you can belong to… ahhh; watching, understanding; love;
Characters:
Sergeant Connie Davis: out of sync with people; eidetic memory; father military – she loved him, he loved her, he taught her what he knew… when he was home; he died when she was 10, she went to live with an indifferent grandmother; believed there was something more to her father’s death – so she hired on as mechanical engineer at the two companies that built his helicopter, but found that all was well there… joined the military, and finally proved self to be backup to SOAR ; quiet, observer, still doesn’t fit in (a page that describes the dining sitting arrangements, and she has no place for herself – later on, invited to sit with John);
Staff Sergeant Big John Wallace: mechanic; his partner on maternity leave, so Connie temporarily assigned to his team; though they don’t talk, he finds her peaceful, and she is always anticipating – so they work in total harmony;
Major Emily Beale / Major Henderson : SOAR legends; they pilot to two team helicopters; Connie on her heli;
Second Lieutenant Noreen Wallace: John’s younger sister, who has joined the military – following in her brother’s footsteps… making him proud;
Grumps: farmed the land, still lived on in by the fourth generation; he befriends Connie easiest, taking her to the tractor that his father bought when he was 12, and used for 30 years to farm, until replaced by more modern contraptions… he sits and watches, while she restores it – often with John’s help; she (and John) are devastated when he dies, quietly, sitting on the tractor, after it is presented to the park – and she runs, again not feeling as if she fits in…
Lola LaRue: new SOAR member – meet at end – next book?
Summary:
They fly two missions… they fly two tests… they test new visual equipment…
And Connie’s half a step ahead when needed – hearing the blade about to break, figuring a way around it, figuring out how to retrieve an unknown 3rd nuclear device;
And along the way, they fall in love – though neither will name their feelings for the other as such… each caught in their own definitions of self… but they cannot ignore the feelings and finally come to acceptance and connection.
Memorable scenes:
‘Standing next to John, she felt that weightless moment she’d missed whenjumping out of the back of the C-17 Globemaster III. That incredible sense of flying.”
“His world went quiet around her. Not as if he didn’t want to speak, bus as if he didn’t need to.”
She sat somewhere inside her own skin and watched the world. She’d first been aware of this at Fort Rucker’s day care. At five years old, she’d observed herself, as if a separate person, carefully drawing precise diagrams. Others grabbed crayons in fists and made flowers, houses, fighter planes dropping outsized bombs, or just scribbled muti-hued swirls.”
“Just a breath of night air between their shoulders. Quiet. The wayhe was sometimes. When he was happiest. When he was with her.”
But then she’d looked up and seen John’s face. She’d seen another woman. Another Connie. She’d seen the one loved by a man. The one that someday would bear his children. And while she watched their grandchildren lie in his strong arms, Connie and Noreen would look at the fify-year coin, now a hundred years old. The coin Connie still had buttoned in her pocket. She had seen herself with a future. With John.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2013
Reviewed by: April
Book provided by: book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
With a mix of military suspense, broken lives and emotions and romantic heat, Wait Until Dark packs a leisurely but intense punch for lovers of this genre!
This is the first book by this author that I have had the pleasure of reading and I can say that I highly enjoyed his writing style and his ability to really bring forth his characters in a three dimensional way that truly allowed me to care for and feel a connection with them. Wait Until Dark is the third in the Night Stalker series and though I had not read the previous two books in the series, I had absolutely no problem following along with the story line or the characters. With that in mind, this can easily be read as a standalone book or in series order.
Each of the books focus on a set of characters and this one revolved around Special Agents Connie Davis and John Wallace. Both are part of the SOAR team, the Night Stalkers, a group of highly trained individuals who are brought in at a moment’s notice to deal with highly dangerous military situations and missions. High intelligence, the ability to focus and brute emotional as well as physical strength are absolute necessities. Connie has been alone life since her father was killed on a military mission, when she was a teenager. Her focus has always been to keep her father’s legacy, so to speak, alive by following in his footsteps. However, Connie has built up a wall around herself that not even the toughest bomb could shatter. She knows in her heart that her life is counted day by day and with her career, she could be killed the next day. It is because of that thought she does not allow herself to plan a future for herself, nor does she allow herself to become emotionally connected to others around her.
John is a strong minded, intelligent, honorable and oh-so-hunky of a guy. He finds himself drawn to Connie and when the team is allowed a few days leave before Christmas, he invites her back to stay with his family instead of going off to be forced to spend that time alone. She hesitates, but in the end relents and goes with him. What she finds is an amazing, loving and accepting family that, if she allows them to, just may make that wall around her heart crumble just a bit.
For me the story began a bit on the slower side. However, I think that was simply because the beginning is very military focused, as they are on a mission. The storyline did proceed smoothly and in a gentle slope building way. My favorite part was the middle when the story was focused on Connie and John and their growing relationship – both with one another and with Connie and John’s family. The author does an amazing job bringing emotions to the surface all throughout the story, as well as gripping the reader in the fist of what the characters are going through. I have to say, also, that the military aspect of the story was very well plodded out and explained. Mr. Buchman obviously knows his stuff and that shows through in his writing style.
For those looking for and enjoy a well written military romance, Wait Until Dark is definitely one that you will want to check out! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
Book provided by: book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
With a mix of military suspense, broken lives and emotions and romantic heat, Wait Until Dark packs a leisurely but intense punch for lovers of this genre!
This is the first book by this author that I have had the pleasure of reading and I can say that I highly enjoyed his writing style and his ability to really bring forth his characters in a three dimensional way that truly allowed me to care for and feel a connection with them. Wait Until Dark is the third in the Night Stalker series and though I had not read the previous two books in the series, I had absolutely no problem following along with the story line or the characters. With that in mind, this can easily be read as a standalone book or in series order.
Each of the books focus on a set of characters and this one revolved around Special Agents Connie Davis and John Wallace. Both are part of the SOAR team, the Night Stalkers, a group of highly trained individuals who are brought in at a moment’s notice to deal with highly dangerous military situations and missions. High intelligence, the ability to focus and brute emotional as well as physical strength are absolute necessities. Connie has been alone life since her father was killed on a military mission, when she was a teenager. Her focus has always been to keep her father’s legacy, so to speak, alive by following in his footsteps. However, Connie has built up a wall around herself that not even the toughest bomb could shatter. She knows in her heart that her life is counted day by day and with her career, she could be killed the next day. It is because of that thought she does not allow herself to plan a future for herself, nor does she allow herself to become emotionally connected to others around her.
John is a strong minded, intelligent, honorable and oh-so-hunky of a guy. He finds himself drawn to Connie and when the team is allowed a few days leave before Christmas, he invites her back to stay with his family instead of going off to be forced to spend that time alone. She hesitates, but in the end relents and goes with him. What she finds is an amazing, loving and accepting family that, if she allows them to, just may make that wall around her heart crumble just a bit.
For me the story began a bit on the slower side. However, I think that was simply because the beginning is very military focused, as they are on a mission. The storyline did proceed smoothly and in a gentle slope building way. My favorite part was the middle when the story was focused on Connie and John and their growing relationship – both with one another and with Connie and John’s family. The author does an amazing job bringing emotions to the surface all throughout the story, as well as gripping the reader in the fist of what the characters are going through. I have to say, also, that the military aspect of the story was very well plodded out and explained. Mr. Buchman obviously knows his stuff and that shows through in his writing style.
For those looking for and enjoy a well written military romance, Wait Until Dark is definitely one that you will want to check out! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!
February 9, 2013
This book sort of snuck up on me. At the start I wasn't really sure about Connie, she seemed so cold, I couldn't see how things would work out with her and John. I did love how Connie totally knew her stuff as a mechanic, in fact she was almost a genius at it. As the story went on I found myself really admiring Connie, she was so smart, her dad did the best he could with such a smarty pants kid. I think that had her father lived things might have been different for her, but he didn't and that hurt cut so deep, she lost her touch stone.
I really liked that John was able to see all of Connie's great qualities slowly. He had to dig deep to see her appeal. The trip to John's house on R&R was great on so many levels. I loved John's family, they were so fun and loving, but I can see how they would overwhelm Connie. I really loved how Connie developed a quite friendship with Grumps and Connie's frank chats with Noreen. Some of those had me laughing, while others brought tears to my eyes. I was surprised by how quickly Noreen figured out Connie. Noreen's quiet words to John nailed Connie to a T, and I think made John realize somethings he wasn't ready to accept yet.
I hated how the trip home ended, hated that Connie felt the need to run, hated what John and the family had to face. I also hated the consequences of Connie running, hated what John thought of Connie and how Connie's actions looked to others, like Kee. Kee's ripping Connie a new one was brutal.
I was surprised that rift between Connie and John seemed to affect everyone in their SOAR team. Emily especially seemed attune to the rift and I hated how she worried that it would affect their mission, a valid thought. The poker game, which should have been fun, was down right dirty, it seemed that Connie and John were playing for keeps, it is just too bad that the keeps was destroying each other. I was glad that Mark stepped in to stop it before too much damage could be done.
I hated that Connie once again ran, but did love how things ended up. I was glad that Connie was forced to come clean with John for everything and felt the tears rolling down my face as she explained her time with Grumps and why it was important to her. The explanation seemed to make John understand and heal the rift.
The last part of the book was harrowing. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat with the mission, what they all needed to accomplish and the hurdles they encountered. I worried that none of them would make it out, but knew that in fiction they would. I loved that during the really tense time things became clear for both John and Connie and what was really important was each other. I loved how Connie then blew John away by telling him, a great way to end the book!
I really liked that John was able to see all of Connie's great qualities slowly. He had to dig deep to see her appeal. The trip to John's house on R&R was great on so many levels. I loved John's family, they were so fun and loving, but I can see how they would overwhelm Connie. I really loved how Connie developed a quite friendship with Grumps and Connie's frank chats with Noreen. Some of those had me laughing, while others brought tears to my eyes. I was surprised by how quickly Noreen figured out Connie. Noreen's quiet words to John nailed Connie to a T, and I think made John realize somethings he wasn't ready to accept yet.
I hated how the trip home ended, hated that Connie felt the need to run, hated what John and the family had to face. I also hated the consequences of Connie running, hated what John thought of Connie and how Connie's actions looked to others, like Kee. Kee's ripping Connie a new one was brutal.
I was surprised that rift between Connie and John seemed to affect everyone in their SOAR team. Emily especially seemed attune to the rift and I hated how she worried that it would affect their mission, a valid thought. The poker game, which should have been fun, was down right dirty, it seemed that Connie and John were playing for keeps, it is just too bad that the keeps was destroying each other. I was glad that Mark stepped in to stop it before too much damage could be done.
I hated that Connie once again ran, but did love how things ended up. I was glad that Connie was forced to come clean with John for everything and felt the tears rolling down my face as she explained her time with Grumps and why it was important to her. The explanation seemed to make John understand and heal the rift.
The last part of the book was harrowing. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat with the mission, what they all needed to accomplish and the hurdles they encountered. I worried that none of them would make it out, but knew that in fiction they would. I loved that during the really tense time things became clear for both John and Connie and what was really important was each other. I loved how Connie then blew John away by telling him, a great way to end the book!
September 10, 2014
Ok, I admit this author is officially a favorite of mine. Some series, when you pick the next book, you almost forgot what happened on the last one. Not for me on this series and that's why I hope this author will stay interesting.
What sets this book (and the rest of the series) way apart from other books I've read so far is the lack of insta-love. Instead we saw both the hero and heroine gets to know each other, learn who they are and then fall in love kicking an screaming. In this series and these kind of characters, watching them scrambling over their feelings is half the fun of reading.
This book's hero embodies the heroic image of the best of the best in the military. He is on the top of his game yet very grounded with his very relate-able family dynamics. I love that emotionally he is a man. (It is laughable sometimes when writers made their heroes pick apart their emotions piece by piece like women does.) Instead, he is an action man with honorable soul, a good man at heart.
The heroine, on the other hand is such a geek yet can pack serious 'umph' on her punch/action. I love that her emotional scars, though was a part of the plot was not plastered on my face over and over and over again. Instead, her issue was unveiled and resolved as the story progress. Together, the two main characters were perfect for each other and for the story.
This series still has interesting secondary characters and am waiting for their story coming in the future.
I read a review of this author's 2nd book about inaccuracy in some of the military infos but heck, I am reading for the romance and not for fact accuracy. If I want that, I will pick up a text book or read military journals.
What sets this book (and the rest of the series) way apart from other books I've read so far is the lack of insta-love. Instead we saw both the hero and heroine gets to know each other, learn who they are and then fall in love kicking an screaming. In this series and these kind of characters, watching them scrambling over their feelings is half the fun of reading.
This book's hero embodies the heroic image of the best of the best in the military. He is on the top of his game yet very grounded with his very relate-able family dynamics. I love that emotionally he is a man. (It is laughable sometimes when writers made their heroes pick apart their emotions piece by piece like women does.) Instead, he is an action man with honorable soul, a good man at heart.
The heroine, on the other hand is such a geek yet can pack serious 'umph' on her punch/action. I love that her emotional scars, though was a part of the plot was not plastered on my face over and over and over again. Instead, her issue was unveiled and resolved as the story progress. Together, the two main characters were perfect for each other and for the story.
This series still has interesting secondary characters and am waiting for their story coming in the future.
I read a review of this author's 2nd book about inaccuracy in some of the military infos but heck, I am reading for the romance and not for fact accuracy. If I want that, I will pick up a text book or read military journals.
February 18, 2013
I am a woman civilian, who personally have very little military background; however, I have parents and grandparents who all served and a cousin (who is a woman) who has chosen the army as her career and who flies blackhawks, plus it helps that I am an scientist and engineer so I am not completely hopeless. Now with that established...
I really enjoyed this book. It was detailed oriented enough that I feel like I actually learned something, but yet the story line and characters were solid, which really made for easy reading. I really did not struggle in understanding with the military jargon and, the nerd that I am, I looked anything up about helicopters as I read if I didn't understand or couldn't picture what was part was being talked about. But the book was really well written so pretty much any one can understand what is going on and the actions that were taking place. I found it easy to connect with the characters in one way or another, they went through the same emotions and have fears just like the rest of us so it wasn't too much a jump to find lose connections that make the reader attached to them. And how could you just not love Big John's family, makes his character grounded and even easier to fall in love with.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book; it read well and easily, it was very entertaining and kept you wanting to find out what would happen next. I would definitely read more books in this series and by this author.
Thank you for allowing me to read this book, even as an unfinished/edited copy, as a first-reader for goodreads.
I really enjoyed this book. It was detailed oriented enough that I feel like I actually learned something, but yet the story line and characters were solid, which really made for easy reading. I really did not struggle in understanding with the military jargon and, the nerd that I am, I looked anything up about helicopters as I read if I didn't understand or couldn't picture what was part was being talked about. But the book was really well written so pretty much any one can understand what is going on and the actions that were taking place. I found it easy to connect with the characters in one way or another, they went through the same emotions and have fears just like the rest of us so it wasn't too much a jump to find lose connections that make the reader attached to them. And how could you just not love Big John's family, makes his character grounded and even easier to fall in love with.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book; it read well and easily, it was very entertaining and kept you wanting to find out what would happen next. I would definitely read more books in this series and by this author.
Thank you for allowing me to read this book, even as an unfinished/edited copy, as a first-reader for goodreads.
February 16, 2013
A solid entry to an entertaining series.
I have to say that I have enjoyed all three books in this series. The first book was a campy riot of fun. Books 2 and 3 are more serious in nature. My biggest complaint is that I miss the camp of the first book with its over-the-top heroine/plot/action.
Wait Until Dark is also different in that the pace is slow and the heroine is, well, weird. I didn't really warm up to her for the first quarter of the book, but when I 'got' her, I really enjoyed her quirks. There is one act that I found rather unforgivable, but Connie gets called on it and when she explains herself, well, I forgave her and understood why the hero did also.
Big John is a great, lovable hero and you can't help liking him. He's definitely not the angsty, ubber alpha hero that the story revolves around. It's really Connie's story and even though this is a romance, I felt John was more of a prop to help her on her journey.
As I said, the pace is slow, the heroine takes some getting used to and the hero is a mellow good guy, so this becomes a story that you have to be in the right mood for 'something different'. I also give Buchman points because Wait Until Dark is about as close to a Tom Clancy romance as I've seen. There are plenty of technical/military details which makes this story rise above the average military romance. I'm looking forward to #4.
I have to say that I have enjoyed all three books in this series. The first book was a campy riot of fun. Books 2 and 3 are more serious in nature. My biggest complaint is that I miss the camp of the first book with its over-the-top heroine/plot/action.
Wait Until Dark is also different in that the pace is slow and the heroine is, well, weird. I didn't really warm up to her for the first quarter of the book, but when I 'got' her, I really enjoyed her quirks. There is one act that I found rather unforgivable, but Connie gets called on it and when she explains herself, well, I forgave her and understood why the hero did also.
Big John is a great, lovable hero and you can't help liking him. He's definitely not the angsty, ubber alpha hero that the story revolves around. It's really Connie's story and even though this is a romance, I felt John was more of a prop to help her on her journey.
As I said, the pace is slow, the heroine takes some getting used to and the hero is a mellow good guy, so this becomes a story that you have to be in the right mood for 'something different'. I also give Buchman points because Wait Until Dark is about as close to a Tom Clancy romance as I've seen. There are plenty of technical/military details which makes this story rise above the average military romance. I'm looking forward to #4.
June 30, 2015
I didn't like this as much as the other two books. I seem to have detected a pattern - all the women are odd in one way or another. Of course, being the only women in SOAR would make them in a league of their own but these women in their different ways seem to struggle to understand others. Or maybe its just Kee and Connie?
So, Connie is almost an automaton - with an eidetic memory she is a brilliant engineer and has been since she was a very small child. Unfortunately, the death of her mother when she was three and her father when she was 12 has left her unwilling/unable to care for others and/or interact.
At first, Big John resents this woman who speaks little and takes over his bird, but soon he is fascinated by her skills and eager to understand her.
I dropped this halfway through because I had lost interest in Big John and Connie - there was a long rambling session back at John's family ranch which dragged (for me).
The only thing that redeemed this book for me was the mission at the end - that was a great read.
I must admit this series is becoming a bit ridiculous - every single woman in SOAR is sent to Bati camp where they immediately meet and marry - regardless of the fraternisation laws!
Nevertheless, I am hooked and will continue - just waiting for the Delta Force Colonel to get his story.
So, Connie is almost an automaton - with an eidetic memory she is a brilliant engineer and has been since she was a very small child. Unfortunately, the death of her mother when she was three and her father when she was 12 has left her unwilling/unable to care for others and/or interact.
At first, Big John resents this woman who speaks little and takes over his bird, but soon he is fascinated by her skills and eager to understand her.
I dropped this halfway through because I had lost interest in Big John and Connie - there was a long rambling session back at John's family ranch which dragged (for me).
The only thing that redeemed this book for me was the mission at the end - that was a great read.
I must admit this series is becoming a bit ridiculous - every single woman in SOAR is sent to Bati camp where they immediately meet and marry - regardless of the fraternisation laws!
Nevertheless, I am hooked and will continue - just waiting for the Delta Force Colonel to get his story.
February 7, 2013
I greatly enjoyed this book.
In this book we have Big Bad John and Connie Davis discover each other. Big John has been part of the series from the start and is an accepted member of the SOAR squad. Connie on the other hand is a newbie and a loner and whilst brilliant mechanically, not part of anything.
This book opens during action in their usual location but the bulk of the book takes part stateside and on leave. I liked this as it gave John more depth and this contrasted with Connie (at least how she sees herself). It also meant that we got to enjoy new characters rather than just the usual suspects. Although we get to enjoy these too.
The final action scene is well done and brings Connie to the forefront of the story and action.
The book also had it's usual fun. Major Beale sneaking in to Fort Campbell undetected. Assessment week (which had me reading the first book to place Trisha O'Malley), poker games. We also had what I assume is our next couple kind of meet (although there is no coming soon section on the authors' site to confirm) and if that's correct it should be a lot of fun.
Overall a great read and I'm looking forward to finding out the next couple and reading their story.
In this book we have Big Bad John and Connie Davis discover each other. Big John has been part of the series from the start and is an accepted member of the SOAR squad. Connie on the other hand is a newbie and a loner and whilst brilliant mechanically, not part of anything.
This book opens during action in their usual location but the bulk of the book takes part stateside and on leave. I liked this as it gave John more depth and this contrasted with Connie (at least how she sees herself). It also meant that we got to enjoy new characters rather than just the usual suspects. Although we get to enjoy these too.
The final action scene is well done and brings Connie to the forefront of the story and action.
The book also had it's usual fun. Major Beale sneaking in to Fort Campbell undetected. Assessment week (which had me reading the first book to place Trisha O'Malley), poker games. We also had what I assume is our next couple kind of meet (although there is no coming soon section on the authors' site to confirm) and if that's correct it should be a lot of fun.
Overall a great read and I'm looking forward to finding out the next couple and reading their story.
February 23, 2013
3.5 Stars
I just read the entire series to be able to accurately review this book. I found that while I enjoyed reading a military romance about a division that never gets written about I found my eyes glazing over quite a few times when it started using acronyms (I kept forgetting what they stood for) and when describing the helicopters (I've never actually seen a military grade helicopter so couldn't really picture what they were talking about). I've liked the character of Big Bad John from the beginning and was glad he was going to have a nice romance, but I'm not sure how much I liked Connie. She had absolutely no personality until the last chapter. From John's POV we read that she was funny and loving but we were never shown that part of her. My favorite part of the book was when they visited his family. I must say that even though I didn't get into the military aspect of this series I did recommend it to a friend of mine who is a Security Medical Evacuation/ Air Medical Supervisor working in Saudi Arabia. I though he'd get a kick out of them. I'll still probably read the next book just because I'd like to see Crazy Tim get tamed.
I just read the entire series to be able to accurately review this book. I found that while I enjoyed reading a military romance about a division that never gets written about I found my eyes glazing over quite a few times when it started using acronyms (I kept forgetting what they stood for) and when describing the helicopters (I've never actually seen a military grade helicopter so couldn't really picture what they were talking about). I've liked the character of Big Bad John from the beginning and was glad he was going to have a nice romance, but I'm not sure how much I liked Connie. She had absolutely no personality until the last chapter. From John's POV we read that she was funny and loving but we were never shown that part of her. My favorite part of the book was when they visited his family. I must say that even though I didn't get into the military aspect of this series I did recommend it to a friend of mine who is a Security Medical Evacuation/ Air Medical Supervisor working in Saudi Arabia. I though he'd get a kick out of them. I'll still probably read the next book just because I'd like to see Crazy Tim get tamed.
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