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Shadow Warriors #5
Breaking Point
In the line of fire…
OPERATION SHADOW WARRIORS
An ongoing U.S. military experiment to test the integration of trained female military operatives in live combat scenarios…
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving dryness of Afghanistan…who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel—and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she's dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous and unbearably attractive….
Between the open hostility from her team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for Bay. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens.
They mustn't speak of it. Mustn't act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed…
OPERATION SHADOW WARRIORS
An ongoing U.S. military experiment to test the integration of trained female military operatives in live combat scenarios…
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving dryness of Afghanistan…who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel—and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she's dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous and unbearably attractive….
Between the open hostility from her team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for Bay. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens.
They mustn't speak of it. Mustn't act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed…
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
78 people are currently reading
916 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
359 books2,497 followersI've lived six lives in one and it all shows up in the books I write, one way or another.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 29, 2014
My original review:
Two words: MARY. SUE.
My long, rambling and ranty review that was originally posted HERE:
To start I’d like to mention something. I’ve seen some pretty heavy advertising for this book in various places, including RT Magazine, and they seem to have made a big mistake. They’re marketing it as a love story about two Navy SEALs named Gabe and Bay – and it totally sounds like it’s a gay romance.
This isn’t a gay romance – maybe the fairly conservative people in romance publishing didn’t even think of that when they made the ads…?!
This book is part of a series, and I read the one that comes after this before I read this one.
I regretted that decision at first, but now I’m glad I did, because if I’d read this first I wouldn’t have read the other one (spoilers later on).
Lindsay McKenna has been writing since the early bodice ripper days, and I think it shows. Some authors manage to evolve as the genre evolves, but this is a very old-fashioned book, with the world’s biggest Mary Sue as a heroine. Despite the very well-researched military aspect, these characters are not recognisable as twenty and thirty-somethings of today.
To be honest, I was expecting more suspense. It’s a brilliant concept for a series: gradually integrating women into America’s Special Forces. However, instead of focusing on the danger aspects, this is a sweet, sappy romance that just happens to take place in a military setting.
The whole book is basically Gabe admiring the perfection that is Bay. Right from the outset he has no issues whatsoever with using a female medic to help the SEALs out. He thinks she’s beautiful and wonderful and kind and perfect and he loves her and he wants her to have his babies. Even though she is a hillbilly of the highest order (think the hillbilly family in The Simpsons).
The first day she’s with them, the men challenge her to a shooting contest. Despite their intensive SEAL training, Bay beats the Navy SEAL SNIPERS in the contest.
And despite the fact many of the men object to her being there, they’re *all* won over two days later when she shares her mama’s cookies with them. Seriously. That’s all it takes and then they’re all best friends.
But even though she’s physically superior and better at all things military than the men in the Special Forces, soon after this Gabe finds her sitting in an orphanage, giving a bottle to a baby and surrounded by toddlers who love her so much they won’t leave her. He watches her, imagining her having his babies, and then walks over to her and says, “You look beautiful with a baby”.
If you’re not getting it yet, this isn’t a suspense book. It’s not a military romance as I’ve read before. This is granny romance for a different generation.
I think this author is about the same age as my mother, and I can’t imagine my mother liking this. I also can’t imagine other grandmother authors like Cindy Gerard writing like this (if you want excellent military romance, she is the author to read!). Some people move with the times, while others are stuck in the past. This book is thirty years out of date.
Now, I can go along with a bit of the sappy stuff, but another thing that was always in the back of my mind while I was reading was what is coming up in the next book. I don’t know why, but for some reason these characters get two books about them.
Here is where the spoilers start!
In the next book, Bay is kidnapped by the Taliban, where she is tortured for a few days and then raped so badly she is… bleeding profusely from various orifices… Then she is shot in the head, put in a coma and has amnesia.
It was beyond brutal and puts the relationship in this book in a different light. And while I’m okay with rape if it’s handled sensitively, in light of the theme of women trying to prove themselves against men, it seems a hell of a lot like punishment to “put women back in their place” and prove they have no business being in the Special Forces.
I was very lenient with reviewing the other book, but the more I think about it, the more upsetting it find it.
So, I really don’t think this is a good book. I think it’s a bad example of military romance, and I think it shows women in a terrible light.
Because, no matter how “perfect” Bay is when it comes to military things, in the end all she’s apparently good for is staying home and producing the hero’s babies.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
December 25, 2014
Update 12/25/14 This book was chosen as one of Badass Book Reviews favorite contemporary romance books of 2014. Read all about it here.
This was a nice, enjoyable summer read. I liked the slow buildup to romance. The main characters Gabe and Bay were a likable couple, and I felt myself rooting for them throughout the book. The story is set in Afghanistan where Navy SEAL Gabe Griffin is stationed. His team has recently lost a member and Baylee Ann Thorne joins the team as part of Operation Shadow Warriors. At first, the members of the SEAL team are hesitant to accept a woman on their team and they are quite vocal about it. Gabe stands up for Bay. Bay is an interesting character - she is full of compassion and well suited to her job as medic. In fact, she completed the grueling Army 18 Delta combat medic training. Bay is also an accomplished sniper, learning how to shoot squirrel with her dad in the mountains.
I think that what I liked best about this book was that the main couple did not jump into bed with each other right away. (Not a good idea when you have to work together in combat situations). They took the time to get to know each other. I liked how they were both attuned to each other's needs. It was nicely done.
The background of Afghanistan and the challenges of living, working, and being a soldier in that part of the world was portrayed well. There were some very hairy moments for our couple. The author also showed the difficulties that the civilians had to endure as well.
Overall, a nice read, well suited to the 4th of July weekend.
*I won this book in a Goodreads FirstReads giveaway. I will read and review the book when i receive it.*
*SOS Bookshelf Bingo - Hit the Road Shelf*
This was a nice, enjoyable summer read. I liked the slow buildup to romance. The main characters Gabe and Bay were a likable couple, and I felt myself rooting for them throughout the book. The story is set in Afghanistan where Navy SEAL Gabe Griffin is stationed. His team has recently lost a member and Baylee Ann Thorne joins the team as part of Operation Shadow Warriors. At first, the members of the SEAL team are hesitant to accept a woman on their team and they are quite vocal about it. Gabe stands up for Bay. Bay is an interesting character - she is full of compassion and well suited to her job as medic. In fact, she completed the grueling Army 18 Delta combat medic training. Bay is also an accomplished sniper, learning how to shoot squirrel with her dad in the mountains.
I think that what I liked best about this book was that the main couple did not jump into bed with each other right away. (Not a good idea when you have to work together in combat situations). They took the time to get to know each other. I liked how they were both attuned to each other's needs. It was nicely done.
The background of Afghanistan and the challenges of living, working, and being a soldier in that part of the world was portrayed well. There were some very hairy moments for our couple. The author also showed the difficulties that the civilians had to endure as well.
Overall, a nice read, well suited to the 4th of July weekend.
*I won this book in a Goodreads FirstReads giveaway. I will read and review the book when i receive it.*
*SOS Bookshelf Bingo - Hit the Road Shelf*
September 23, 2016
This is really a strange love story, so slow and tender and reasonable ;) Both the characters have to fight the mutual attraction because they don't want to cause harm to the SEAL squad Bay has been assigned. So they fight and try to keep a normal relationship but their feelings are strong. I loved the pace of this story. It was full of tender scenes, notwithstanding the horrible war around them.
May 21, 2018
Reread.
I love this book and the follow up, Never Surrender. I have reread both a few times because Bay and Gabe are a great couple. I should add a caveat, though. Despite the angst of the war and the events in the next book, there is a high cheese factor. If you don't care for occasional doses of pure sugar, you might OD.
I love this book and the follow up, Never Surrender. I have reread both a few times because Bay and Gabe are a great couple. I should add a caveat, though. Despite the angst of the war and the events in the next book, there is a high cheese factor. If you don't care for occasional doses of pure sugar, you might OD.
May 23, 2014
For this review and more visit my blog
I have a lot to say about this book so this might get a little long. Also in order to get my point across there may also be a few spoilers too so consider yourself warned.
I firmly believe that woman in the military should be able to fight on the front line. I believe passionately that they would as good as men in a war situation. For that reason I wanted to read this book, the blurb made it sound like Bay Thorn (The main character) would be on the front line in Afghanistan fighting not only against the bad guys but against a sexist system that believes woman are not capable of handling combat situations. I wanted to see her struggles, I wanted to see her be strong. Apparently I wanted too much.
In the end I didn’t get what I wanted. If I am honest I felt this was a bit of a mess and it was impossible to take seriously.
Firstly the writing was not up to par for a modern day romance. I felt the military talk was great but when it came to the romance it got cheesy and beyond old fashioned. The way the two main characters spoke about their feelings to one another was enough to make me laugh out loud. They couldn’t just sit down like a normal couple instead that had to explain how they made each other feel all the time. It was horrible and it sounded like it belonged in a 1980s mills and boons book.
Secondly the main character was irritating. Bay Thorn is perfection personified she can do no wrong and everyone loves her. In fact I think everyone was put on Earth just to gush about how glorious she is. I loved the way she just strolled into the Navy SEALs and was better than everyone else at everything. She can even out shoot a trained sniper in a shooting competition because her daddy taught her how to hunt. It isn’t always plain sailing, some of the men have some reservations about her being there which to be honest is understandable. But everything turns out ok because Bay gives them cookies, thank god for baked goods. I am surprised she didn’t hand them out in gun fights to tame the enemy. Bay is a fighter, a healer, a natural nurturer. She is hot and down to earth and loyal and everyone thinks the sun shines out of her behind. It was just too much for me I needed her to be tough, to be a dirty fighter and prove to everyone that she had as much right to be there as anyone else. I wanted the journey to be harder than what it was because that is realistic. Instead I got fluff.
The romance suffered because of Bay’s Mary Sue-ness. How Gabe was able to form a sentence in her presence is beyond me. He is so besotted with her I am surprised he could function around her. His only purpose in the whole book was to remind all the readers how fantastic she is. He didn’t do much else to be honest and because of that I couldn’t connect to him at all.
It isn’t all bad news the action scenes were great and I wish there had been more of them. Lindsay McKenna is really good at creating pulse pounding action scenes. There was a helicopter crash that was just fantastic and proved that beneath the cheesy dialogue and Mary Sue characters McKenna is capable of producing some high class writing. The problem is there wasn’t enough moments like these to really make an impact for me.
Although it has nothing to do with the review for this book I have to talk briefly about its follow up. I have heard that the next book in the series is going to feature the same characters again and that Bay will be taken hostage, raped, tortured and then lose her memory. I think this is the worse idea ever not because it’s hard but because I don’t think it is needed. These books would have been great if they had been about the struggle woman face on the front line in the military, isn’t that enough? I get fed up of author’s resorting to rape and violence when they want their female characters to go through a hard time or for a romance to be tested. There was an opportunity to do a lot more with a story like this and I am sad that rape is the way the author has chosen to go.
Breaking Point had some good and bad moments but overall it wasn’t for me.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 8, 2014
I've been reading Lindsay McKenna's military romances since she burst onto the scene in the 1980's and she has only gotten better.
Bay (Doc) Thorne is a member of Operation Shadow Warriors, a top secret group of 40 women who are combat trained and imbedded in Special Forces units. Bay is a trained sniper, 18 Delta combat medic and a Navy petty officer.
Gabe Griffin is a Navy Seal sniper who presents a rough and ready game face to the world to hide his sensitive heart.
Bay is sent to Afghanistan and imbedded into a Seal platoon. All the seals but one are against Bay being there as they feel they will have to protect her, and in doing so, will get themselves killed. Only Gabe Griffin is for Bay being there.
Bay has to keep proving to the seals that she is not a liability to them which is a point of frustration for her as the Army special forces teams readily accepted her. Even when she out shoots one of the seals against her being there, she is not completely accepted.
Gabe is appointed her mentor in the platoon, and it is his job to teach her the things she needs to know to fit in.
When Bay and Gabe are involved in a helicopter crash into a valley known to be a Taliban stronghold, it is up to Gabe and Bay to hold off the Taliban until the Apache gunships and the rescue helicopter can get there.
When they are finally rescued, Gabe realizes that the rest of the platoon need have no worries about Bay being able to do her share.
The relationship between Bay and Gabe grows slowly. Gabe is there each time Bay needs help to decompress from the stress of combat and their feelings grow. They are unable to acknowledge or do anything about their feelings which adds to the tension.
This is a fast paced story that I couldn't put down till it was done. Lindsay's military background helps her to get things right and adds to the depth of the story. I highly recommend this book.
Bay (Doc) Thorne is a member of Operation Shadow Warriors, a top secret group of 40 women who are combat trained and imbedded in Special Forces units. Bay is a trained sniper, 18 Delta combat medic and a Navy petty officer.
Gabe Griffin is a Navy Seal sniper who presents a rough and ready game face to the world to hide his sensitive heart.
Bay is sent to Afghanistan and imbedded into a Seal platoon. All the seals but one are against Bay being there as they feel they will have to protect her, and in doing so, will get themselves killed. Only Gabe Griffin is for Bay being there.
Bay has to keep proving to the seals that she is not a liability to them which is a point of frustration for her as the Army special forces teams readily accepted her. Even when she out shoots one of the seals against her being there, she is not completely accepted.
Gabe is appointed her mentor in the platoon, and it is his job to teach her the things she needs to know to fit in.
When Bay and Gabe are involved in a helicopter crash into a valley known to be a Taliban stronghold, it is up to Gabe and Bay to hold off the Taliban until the Apache gunships and the rescue helicopter can get there.
When they are finally rescued, Gabe realizes that the rest of the platoon need have no worries about Bay being able to do her share.
The relationship between Bay and Gabe grows slowly. Gabe is there each time Bay needs help to decompress from the stress of combat and their feelings grow. They are unable to acknowledge or do anything about their feelings which adds to the tension.
This is a fast paced story that I couldn't put down till it was done. Lindsay's military background helps her to get things right and adds to the depth of the story. I highly recommend this book.
May 14, 2014
First off, I just want to say that this book was advertised as a romantic suspense novel, and it was most definitely just a war novel. The only part of the book that had any romance at all was the one and only sex scene. All the rest of the novel came off as a very fake and technically termed military book; not in the least was it a romance. Another problem that I had with this book was the fact that the author could not, for the life of her, make up her mind about who she wanted her characters to be. She was constantly saying that the female lead was an uneducated girl from a really poor family in the Applacian Mountains, but in the next breath would say that she was very sophisticated and educated. It is not possible to be both of those things and the author's inconstantsy was annoying to say the least. There was also this problem with the male lead. The book starts out with him being her protector and savior and with him caring for her in every way, and then in the next breath (again!) the author would say that he is a woman-hater because of his own stupid, pensis-driven mistakes! The description on the back of the book was also very different from the actual storyline. The description states that the female lead is going to be outcast and tormented by the other male characters, but this never really comes to pass. All of the male characters are a little annoyed by her (but who wouldn't be?) and then they leave her alone. All in all, this book was so bad that I would never read anything else by this author. I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads program.
March 25, 2014
*** I have received an ARC via NetGalley ***
I love military romances, give me the right mix of action (yes!), romance and heat - and I'll be a fan.
Lindsay McKenna wasn't on my radar until now, but "Breaking Point" changed it.
The book "Breaking Point" is part of her Shadow Warriors series but can be read as a stand alone.
And after falling in love with this book, I'll make sure and read the previous books.
I thought that Bay was a strong heroine, working in a "men's world", together with weathered soldiers, some of them openly hostile, would've taken a toll on her, if she wasn't that tough.
Especially because she is a sniper - how cool is that?
It did help, that Gabe, our hero was someone she could trust and later lean on (swoon).
It wasn't a sugary romance novel, but surprisingly "real", gritty and engaging - I say surprising (a good surprise), because I didn't expect it to be this balanced.
Luckily, there is no cliffhanger, however, there's a sequel coming out this summer and I'll make sure to get my hands on that book.
It seems that the story of Bay and Gabe will continue for a while.
I love military romances, give me the right mix of action (yes!), romance and heat - and I'll be a fan.
Lindsay McKenna wasn't on my radar until now, but "Breaking Point" changed it.
The book "Breaking Point" is part of her Shadow Warriors series but can be read as a stand alone.
And after falling in love with this book, I'll make sure and read the previous books.
I thought that Bay was a strong heroine, working in a "men's world", together with weathered soldiers, some of them openly hostile, would've taken a toll on her, if she wasn't that tough.
Especially because she is a sniper - how cool is that?
It did help, that Gabe, our hero was someone she could trust and later lean on (swoon).
It wasn't a sugary romance novel, but surprisingly "real", gritty and engaging - I say surprising (a good surprise), because I didn't expect it to be this balanced.
Luckily, there is no cliffhanger, however, there's a sequel coming out this summer and I'll make sure to get my hands on that book.
It seems that the story of Bay and Gabe will continue for a while.
June 18, 2014
Baylee Thorn is a highly trained medic and sharpshooter. When she is put into a platoon of SEALS, she is met with resistance by the men she will be working with. Only one of them befriends her, Gabe Griffin. He wants to protect her and tries to show the other men her skills are worthy. She wants to be an asset, not a distraction. Baylee and Gabe feel a strong pull to one another, but keep their feelings hidden. It's only when they both get back stateside do we get to see the romance and live grow between them.
This was a great book and the author did a wonderful job of showcasing the struggles for the women in the military. Some of the military words and abbreviations were a little too much at times, but it wasn't that bad. I wish we could have seen more of the romantic and sexy times between the two. What we did get was satisfying, just wish there were more. Overall I enjoyed the book, I think Lindsay McKenna did a great job. Looking forward to reading more from her.
This was a great book and the author did a wonderful job of showcasing the struggles for the women in the military. Some of the military words and abbreviations were a little too much at times, but it wasn't that bad. I wish we could have seen more of the romantic and sexy times between the two. What we did get was satisfying, just wish there were more. Overall I enjoyed the book, I think Lindsay McKenna did a great job. Looking forward to reading more from her.
Read
August 23, 2017Baylee-Ann Thorn was part of an initiative known as Operation Shadow Warriors. She was a woman who was trained to see if women could be useful in combat positions. The SEALs had lost a man and Bay was the replacement. She would be training as a sniper and was a medic. She came from Iraq to Afghanistan and knew the native language. Gabe Griffin became her mentor with the group.
Bay's first challenge came from Hammer. He challenged her to a shoot off. They both hit the bullseye with a sniper rifle from 12 hundred feet but Bay won the challenge when she hit the bullseye standing and the gun not set. Hammer told her that he wasn't through yet and she knew she would be challenged again by him. He and half the other SEALs weren't convinced that a woman was good enough to be a part of their team.
Gabe had recently divorced after his found out his wife had been cheating on him. He had wanted to be married but chose the wrong woman. They married after knowing each other for only 5 days. He had grown up with an abusive, alcoholic father. Baylee's fiancee had been killed in action and in her arms. She had been devastated that there was nothing she could have done to save him. They were attracted to each other but had to fight it because they were working together.
Hammer and they other guys learned to trust Baylee mostly due to her shooting abilities and her humbleness. They learned that her father had been a sniper and respected her ability after finding that out about her. It also helped that her mother sent her a care package of chocolate chip cookies and she shared it with the team. Bay was proving herself in her work and got information from the villagers as she treated them that would help them capture some of the Taliban rebels. Gabe spent a lot of time with her getting her the gear she needed and staying close while she did her job. She sent a young girl to the hospital who had stepped on some shrapnel and cut her foot. It had become infected and Bay saved her life.
He was teased a bit about babysitting her but he usually watched the guys from above wherever they were with his sniper rifle. He told the guys that he was glad to be at ground level with her rather than 'babysitting' the guys from above them.
Over the next four months they talked about their attraction to each other but knew that it was best to wait until they were no longer working together to start any type of personal relationship. Bay was sent with Gabe to a village where she treated the village people and talked with them to gain their trust and information regarding the Taliban. Gabe was sent out to act as a sniper one night and Bay waited for him to return. They had to engage the enemy and planes were sent to bomb the Taliban who attacked them.
The next morning the SEALs and Bay were sent out to find whatever they could on the bodies of the dead men. They discovered an injured girl with them who had traveled with her brother who was needing the money he had been offered for the trip. The brother had been shot and killed. The CIA wanted to question the girl but Baylee held them off. She got the girl to the hospital but they couldn't help so she was sent on a transport to a major hospital. They snuck her out to keep the CIA away from her. There was a particular agent that was trying to use his position to bully them and the girl didn't know anything. She was a prisoner of war and they knew that he would be rough with her.
The helicopter they were in crashed in Taliban territory and they had to fight their way out, unfortunately the girl died and one of the pilots was injured. Bay did what she needed to do to save his live and they got out.
Towards the end of the 4 months they were together, Bay and Gabe were sent out to check on a village leader's pregnant wife. It was a trap and they were stuck hiding in a hole the entire night in the freezing cold until a rescue could be arranged. They were picked up and returned to base shortly before they were separated. Bay went back to work with the Special Forces unit and Gabe was sent a different direction. They kissed for the first time as they were saying goodbye to each other and each promised other that they would meet up for Christmas at Gabe's house in San Diego in another couple of months.
Bay was back working in the same village and they were attacked once again three days before Bay was to leave. She had been shot but her Kevlar vest had prevented the bullet from killing her but it gave her a very bad bruise. She kept quiet about it because she wasn't going to let anything keep her from going to see Gabe. She kept away from others as much as possible during the flight but Gabe recognized that she hadn't broken down from the fight yet. He put her in a guest room of his house and she took a shower. He noticed the bruising and she knew that it was infected. Gabe took her to the doctor the next morning. It was a week later before she was healed and they finally spent the night together on Christmas Eve.
Bay had knitted a blanket for Gabe that had the SEAL emblem on it and Gabe gave Baylee a heart shaped locket that he had carved. He asked her to marry him after their service was completed in another year and Bay agreed. Before they separated at the end of their 30-day leave, Gabe gave Bay an engagement ring.
Bay's first challenge came from Hammer. He challenged her to a shoot off. They both hit the bullseye with a sniper rifle from 12 hundred feet but Bay won the challenge when she hit the bullseye standing and the gun not set. Hammer told her that he wasn't through yet and she knew she would be challenged again by him. He and half the other SEALs weren't convinced that a woman was good enough to be a part of their team.
Gabe had recently divorced after his found out his wife had been cheating on him. He had wanted to be married but chose the wrong woman. They married after knowing each other for only 5 days. He had grown up with an abusive, alcoholic father. Baylee's fiancee had been killed in action and in her arms. She had been devastated that there was nothing she could have done to save him. They were attracted to each other but had to fight it because they were working together.
Hammer and they other guys learned to trust Baylee mostly due to her shooting abilities and her humbleness. They learned that her father had been a sniper and respected her ability after finding that out about her. It also helped that her mother sent her a care package of chocolate chip cookies and she shared it with the team. Bay was proving herself in her work and got information from the villagers as she treated them that would help them capture some of the Taliban rebels. Gabe spent a lot of time with her getting her the gear she needed and staying close while she did her job. She sent a young girl to the hospital who had stepped on some shrapnel and cut her foot. It had become infected and Bay saved her life.
He was teased a bit about babysitting her but he usually watched the guys from above wherever they were with his sniper rifle. He told the guys that he was glad to be at ground level with her rather than 'babysitting' the guys from above them.
Over the next four months they talked about their attraction to each other but knew that it was best to wait until they were no longer working together to start any type of personal relationship. Bay was sent with Gabe to a village where she treated the village people and talked with them to gain their trust and information regarding the Taliban. Gabe was sent out to act as a sniper one night and Bay waited for him to return. They had to engage the enemy and planes were sent to bomb the Taliban who attacked them.
The next morning the SEALs and Bay were sent out to find whatever they could on the bodies of the dead men. They discovered an injured girl with them who had traveled with her brother who was needing the money he had been offered for the trip. The brother had been shot and killed. The CIA wanted to question the girl but Baylee held them off. She got the girl to the hospital but they couldn't help so she was sent on a transport to a major hospital. They snuck her out to keep the CIA away from her. There was a particular agent that was trying to use his position to bully them and the girl didn't know anything. She was a prisoner of war and they knew that he would be rough with her.
The helicopter they were in crashed in Taliban territory and they had to fight their way out, unfortunately the girl died and one of the pilots was injured. Bay did what she needed to do to save his live and they got out.
Towards the end of the 4 months they were together, Bay and Gabe were sent out to check on a village leader's pregnant wife. It was a trap and they were stuck hiding in a hole the entire night in the freezing cold until a rescue could be arranged. They were picked up and returned to base shortly before they were separated. Bay went back to work with the Special Forces unit and Gabe was sent a different direction. They kissed for the first time as they were saying goodbye to each other and each promised other that they would meet up for Christmas at Gabe's house in San Diego in another couple of months.
Bay was back working in the same village and they were attacked once again three days before Bay was to leave. She had been shot but her Kevlar vest had prevented the bullet from killing her but it gave her a very bad bruise. She kept quiet about it because she wasn't going to let anything keep her from going to see Gabe. She kept away from others as much as possible during the flight but Gabe recognized that she hadn't broken down from the fight yet. He put her in a guest room of his house and she took a shower. He noticed the bruising and she knew that it was infected. Gabe took her to the doctor the next morning. It was a week later before she was healed and they finally spent the night together on Christmas Eve.
Bay had knitted a blanket for Gabe that had the SEAL emblem on it and Gabe gave Baylee a heart shaped locket that he had carved. He asked her to marry him after their service was completed in another year and Bay agreed. Before they separated at the end of their 30-day leave, Gabe gave Bay an engagement ring.
August 26, 2024
This was an okay read, but by the end I was bored. It’s very cookie cutter. I don’t know if it was because the author left their coming together moment until right at the end where the reader knows there is nothing else that could happen now but that… kind of wish the male lead had tried to get a sneaky kiss in there while on operation, but he did the good thing and waited until they were home. More realistic of course but a bit predictable. By the time they had sex, a lot of the sexual tension was gone, so I was bored by the time they got down to it. Also by the end of the book, there were a lot of typos, which really distracted from what is being described, especially when the characters were intimate. I don’t know if I had an old version or what but it was annoying. I also agree with other people that this book seems to be written in a different time… with the characters expressing their feelings in high detail in their speech. There were so many times where I thought: nobody would actually talk like that. It was kind of a lazy way for the author to explain how her characters felt. At the same time, there was never really a conflict between the two main characters. Of course you have the ‘she’s fighting in a war, will she come home?’ issue but between the characters themselves there wasn’t really any fight or conflict that you would normally see in a romance. Nothing to really show that these two people are individuals, because individuals normally don’t get on all the time - they have different qualities, views, opinions. But the only thing that makes these two different is the fact that one is a man and one is a woman. Bay has a hillbilly upbringing but that doesn’t seem to hinder her story at all. Related to the hillbilly upbringing, Bat refers to her Mom as ‘Mama’ and I just couldn’t take it seriously. Maybe people talk like that but every time she mentioned her ‘Mama’ I kept thinking she was a kid or something. Very strange, but maybe that is a difference in regional idiolect, etc. No hate if you talk like that. The fact that, despite their backgrounds, the characters are not so well developed added to the vanilla-ness of their relationship - which ultimately made the book a bit boring. I have heard that he next book has more action and suspense so I will give it a go. This book showed me hints of action and suspense, so maybe it will get better. I will definitely report back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
Terrific suspenseful romance
Gabe meets Bay when she becomes their SEAL team medic, but she's way overqualified for that role, having trained with Black ops, etc in the new secret women's Shadow Warriors project. They are drawn to each other unable to act on their feelings due to being part of the Seal team. Danger is always there with Taliban crawling the area around the villages in Irag. Exciting, suspense with just enough romance.
Gabe meets Bay when she becomes their SEAL team medic, but she's way overqualified for that role, having trained with Black ops, etc in the new secret women's Shadow Warriors project. They are drawn to each other unable to act on their feelings due to being part of the Seal team. Danger is always there with Taliban crawling the area around the villages in Irag. Exciting, suspense with just enough romance.
May 16, 2020
3.5 Stars
This is a slow burn romance set in the war zone. Bay and Gabe have an instant connection but, they put it on hold due their circumstances. I enjoyed watching these two characters fall for each other even as they tried to fight it. And their civilian reunion was so worth it!
Also, there's apparently a sequel which I wasn't aware of when I started this so I'm gonna have to read that one of these days.
This is a slow burn romance set in the war zone. Bay and Gabe have an instant connection but, they put it on hold due their circumstances. I enjoyed watching these two characters fall for each other even as they tried to fight it. And their civilian reunion was so worth it!
Also, there's apparently a sequel which I wasn't aware of when I started this so I'm gonna have to read that one of these days.
July 6, 2018
A good, solid military suspense. I really enjoyed Gabe and Bay's book. There's not much romance, but it's because it builds throughout the plot. These Shadow Warriors are as tough as they come. This author really knows her stuff and keeps you engaged all the while reading.
April 30, 2018
wanted to smack Hammer
August 5, 2018
Excellent!!
June 15, 2014
Wow, I don’t know where to start with this story. When I started reading this series I immediately fell in love with the authors writing style. I love how I get lost in her writing and it’s very descriptive. I know sometimes when a story is about military and the things that these men and women go through in third world countries its gut wrenching. I believe this book has been the best book that I have read in the series but then again I haven’t read yet the continuation of Sarah and Ethan’s story yet so maybe I shouldn’t say that. All I know that the amount of emotions that this story took from me were many. Sure I do have to say that I laughed so hard when Bay shared her cookies with the SEALs or cried so much when a little girl by the name of Asifa was killed. From the moment that I met Hammer I thought he was an asshat but after he got to know Bay I was able to tolerate him. I love that Gabe is able to open up to Bay even though he doesn’t know her very well, that just shows that she is a woman with a big heart and hands that can heal.
Baylee Ann “Doc” Thorn is a Petty Officer First-Class Hospital Corpsman and has been assigned to SEAL Alpha Platoon and she knows from the moment that she sees the SEALs that they are not happy to see her. Why should they have her in their platoon she is a woman. Come on this is getting a little tiring I believe that women just like men have the right to be in the military and be part of any branch out their. I know that she did not take the courses, Hell Week to become a SEAL but she has had training and if they would give her a chance she would prove herself. There was one SEAL that seemed to be a loner and he was the one that she felt protected by his presence and something else was going on with her body.
Gabe Griffin is a Navy Seal and he is a very good sniper. From the moment that Bay showed up at their meeting and they needed to sign some confidentiality forms he knew that there was going to be trouble. He was the first one to come to her defense and he was the one that got to mentor her. There was something about her that spoke softness, kindness and a good heart. He was in real big trouble because he had just gone through a divorce and he did not need to get it on with the new female in their platoon. There was a little bet that came early on and if Bay was able to hit the mark with every shot she took maybe some of the SEALs would cut her some slack. Only she shows her mother hen when a little girl survived a bombing massacre and some spooks wanted to question her for terrorism. I could not believe what these asshat’s wanted to do with her but Gabe did not let them and for that I loved him more.
Just when they are able to get Asifa the medical attention that she needs something bad happens. The helicopter that they were in goes down and the territory that they are going down on is not good. They are going to have to survive out there until back-up gets to them that‘s if they can land the helicopter safely.
Breaking Point is a thrilling page turner story that had me at the edge of my seat and when I wasn’t there I was wiping tears from my eyes. I could not believe that amount of action that was in this story and the amount of chemistry that these two characters had. The attraction was there from the moment that they met. I love it when I’m reading a story and I feel as if I’m in the book and feeling and fighting at their side. I love it when I am able to connect with the characters and these are characters that were fascinating.
I definitely recommend this story to all readers especially those that love a splash of suspense in their romance stories. I can’t wait to read about Bay and Gabe again in the next book in this series, Never Surrender.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
Baylee Ann “Doc” Thorn is a Petty Officer First-Class Hospital Corpsman and has been assigned to SEAL Alpha Platoon and she knows from the moment that she sees the SEALs that they are not happy to see her. Why should they have her in their platoon she is a woman. Come on this is getting a little tiring I believe that women just like men have the right to be in the military and be part of any branch out their. I know that she did not take the courses, Hell Week to become a SEAL but she has had training and if they would give her a chance she would prove herself. There was one SEAL that seemed to be a loner and he was the one that she felt protected by his presence and something else was going on with her body.
Gabe Griffin is a Navy Seal and he is a very good sniper. From the moment that Bay showed up at their meeting and they needed to sign some confidentiality forms he knew that there was going to be trouble. He was the first one to come to her defense and he was the one that got to mentor her. There was something about her that spoke softness, kindness and a good heart. He was in real big trouble because he had just gone through a divorce and he did not need to get it on with the new female in their platoon. There was a little bet that came early on and if Bay was able to hit the mark with every shot she took maybe some of the SEALs would cut her some slack. Only she shows her mother hen when a little girl survived a bombing massacre and some spooks wanted to question her for terrorism. I could not believe what these asshat’s wanted to do with her but Gabe did not let them and for that I loved him more.
Just when they are able to get Asifa the medical attention that she needs something bad happens. The helicopter that they were in goes down and the territory that they are going down on is not good. They are going to have to survive out there until back-up gets to them that‘s if they can land the helicopter safely.
Breaking Point is a thrilling page turner story that had me at the edge of my seat and when I wasn’t there I was wiping tears from my eyes. I could not believe that amount of action that was in this story and the amount of chemistry that these two characters had. The attraction was there from the moment that they met. I love it when I’m reading a story and I feel as if I’m in the book and feeling and fighting at their side. I love it when I am able to connect with the characters and these are characters that were fascinating.
I definitely recommend this story to all readers especially those that love a splash of suspense in their romance stories. I can’t wait to read about Bay and Gabe again in the next book in this series, Never Surrender.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
October 23, 2014
Loved it. Another terrific entry into the series about women moving into combat roles. Bay has been part of the Shadow Warriors for several years. She is a highly trained combat medic and has previously served with another special forces unit. Now she's been assigned to a platoon of SEALs and she has to prove herself all over again. Bay's introduction to the team is pretty rough. There are several of the guys who are outright hostile, but one of them speaks up for her. He's assigned as her mentor, to show her the way they do things.
I really enjoyed Bay's introduction and first few days with the team. She knew she'd be facing opposition and tried not to let it get her down. She was confident in her abilities, as long as they would give her a chance. It was fun to see the way that she demonstrated those abilities. I really loved the shooting competition and the way that Gabe showed such confidence in her. I liked the way that bits of her background were shown and how they had such a big part in what she could do.
Gabe's support means a lot to her. She has a great deal of respect and admiration for his abilities and knowing that he has confidence in her helps keep her going. What she doesn't expect to happen is the attraction she feels for him. Bay was engaged to another medic, who died in action in Iraq. She swore she wouldn't get involved with another military man, but her heart wasn't listening to her head.
Gabe had been impressed with Bay from the minute he met her. She had a strength of will he didn't see often in men, much less in women. He's assigned as her mentor/partner and it doesn't take him long to realize that she will be an asset to the team, once the other guys see that she can hold her own. Besides her military skills he is also drawn to the softer side of her. Seeing her use her medical skills on the locals emphasizes her nurturing personality and Gabe finds his attraction to her growing. Gabe had been married before to a woman who couldn't handle his job, and being around Bay shows him what he could have with a woman like her. Both of them know that a relationship between them is impossible under the current conditions. They work very hard at keeping their emotions in check, and are mostly successful.
I liked the way that their relationship developed slowly, with them getting to know each other without physical intimacy getting in the way. It also showed the respect that they had for each other. I enjoyed seeing them get together at the end, and especially liked Gabe's sensitivity to Bay's need to adjust to noncombat conditions. It helped that he goes through the same things himself. I really liked the realistic look at what their next year would be like, with him doing training and her deploying again.
There were a few things I didn't like as much about this book. I really expected there to be more of a struggle for Bay with becoming part of the team. There wasn't much interaction between her and the other guys, except for the cookie incident. That really made it seem like she ended all the hostility with a few cookies and I would have liked to see more. I loved Bay's strength of will and abilities, but I don't recall her ever showing any truly negative emotions. No gripes about the sand, frustration over the guys' attitudes, not even over not being able to haul off and kiss Gabe now and then. Nobody can be that upbeat all the time, especially under those conditions. And for some reason, even the two major missions didn't seem as intense as they've been in previous books. These things weren't major drawbacks, but they weren't quite what I usually expect. Won't stop me from reading the next one.
I really enjoyed Bay's introduction and first few days with the team. She knew she'd be facing opposition and tried not to let it get her down. She was confident in her abilities, as long as they would give her a chance. It was fun to see the way that she demonstrated those abilities. I really loved the shooting competition and the way that Gabe showed such confidence in her. I liked the way that bits of her background were shown and how they had such a big part in what she could do.
Gabe's support means a lot to her. She has a great deal of respect and admiration for his abilities and knowing that he has confidence in her helps keep her going. What she doesn't expect to happen is the attraction she feels for him. Bay was engaged to another medic, who died in action in Iraq. She swore she wouldn't get involved with another military man, but her heart wasn't listening to her head.
Gabe had been impressed with Bay from the minute he met her. She had a strength of will he didn't see often in men, much less in women. He's assigned as her mentor/partner and it doesn't take him long to realize that she will be an asset to the team, once the other guys see that she can hold her own. Besides her military skills he is also drawn to the softer side of her. Seeing her use her medical skills on the locals emphasizes her nurturing personality and Gabe finds his attraction to her growing. Gabe had been married before to a woman who couldn't handle his job, and being around Bay shows him what he could have with a woman like her. Both of them know that a relationship between them is impossible under the current conditions. They work very hard at keeping their emotions in check, and are mostly successful.
I liked the way that their relationship developed slowly, with them getting to know each other without physical intimacy getting in the way. It also showed the respect that they had for each other. I enjoyed seeing them get together at the end, and especially liked Gabe's sensitivity to Bay's need to adjust to noncombat conditions. It helped that he goes through the same things himself. I really liked the realistic look at what their next year would be like, with him doing training and her deploying again.
There were a few things I didn't like as much about this book. I really expected there to be more of a struggle for Bay with becoming part of the team. There wasn't much interaction between her and the other guys, except for the cookie incident. That really made it seem like she ended all the hostility with a few cookies and I would have liked to see more. I loved Bay's strength of will and abilities, but I don't recall her ever showing any truly negative emotions. No gripes about the sand, frustration over the guys' attitudes, not even over not being able to haul off and kiss Gabe now and then. Nobody can be that upbeat all the time, especially under those conditions. And for some reason, even the two major missions didn't seem as intense as they've been in previous books. These things weren't major drawbacks, but they weren't quite what I usually expect. Won't stop me from reading the next one.
August 6, 2016
I have found an author, new to me, that I would love to introduce to those of you that are like me! I have always read romance, and like many tweens and teens that sneaked into their mom's rooms, I absconded with my mom's Harlequin or Silhouette romances. I would read them and would have them back in place before she even knew they were gone. Then, as I got older I started broadening my genre horizon, reading thrillers, mystery, paranormal romance, fantasy and so on. Well as in life, things went full circle and have brought me back to where I was just introduced to Lindsay McKenna, the creator of military romance. What an amazing woman this author is! I have learned to look into the authors I read and get to "know" them. I was honored when she gifted me her newest works, her romantic suspense Shadow Warriors series, "Breaking Point" and "Never Surrender" (Review coming soon). I consumed "Breaking Point" in a little less than two days time!! What a movie that played in my head as I read this book!! I was in the lay up right with Gabe and Bay as the Taliban passed within 100 feet of them!! Talk about suspense!! Now I have to say, due to being a US Navy Mom, that I am partial to anything Navy up to and including our SEALS. Gabe Griffon is one of those SEALS. On assignment in Afghanistan with his Seal team they learn they are about to become part of a top secret test and they are NOT happy and that is putting it lightly. Navy medic Baylee-Ann Thorn volunteered for this top secret assignment, and did so knowing her work was cut out for her. Going into an all male Navy special op's field was going to be the toughest thing she would ever have to do. Her first day there proved her right. All eyes were on her as was the "no holds barred" opinion of one of the SEAL snipers. There was one particular SEAL, sitting all the way in the back, expressionless. To Bay there was a "feeling" about him, a connection if you will. A connection that would grow over missions and time. Will she earn the SEALS respect? Will Gabe and Bay follow the no fraternization policy? Will they BOTH make it out of this rotation alive?
Lindsay put so much research and so much of herself into each and every character of this book. You can literally feel it! I love that over time you get the hows and whys of who Gabe and Bay are, little bits of where they came from and you will be surprised...or not. Two such well developed characters that will bring you to the edge of your seat time and time again. The attention to even the smallest details makes this book absolutely amazing. Whether you are military or civilian, she puts everything into a perspective that you can understand and follow. I recommend this book without any reservation!! Happy Reading!!
Lindsay put so much research and so much of herself into each and every character of this book. You can literally feel it! I love that over time you get the hows and whys of who Gabe and Bay are, little bits of where they came from and you will be surprised...or not. Two such well developed characters that will bring you to the edge of your seat time and time again. The attention to even the smallest details makes this book absolutely amazing. Whether you are military or civilian, she puts everything into a perspective that you can understand and follow. I recommend this book without any reservation!! Happy Reading!!
August 7, 2014
Gabe Griffin is on assignment with his SEAL team in Afghanistan when they learn they are about to become part of a top secret test which the team is really upset about. They recently lost their medic so he is being replaced by a FEMALE medic as part of the test.
Bay-lee (Doc) Thorne is a woman who volunteered for this test as part of Operation Shadow Warriors knowing it was going to be really, really hard on her. The Shadow Warriors are a top secret group of 40 women who are combat trained and ready to be put in Special Forces units. Bay knows she is qualified for any mission she is sent on because she is trained as an 18 Delta combat medic and a Navy petty officer but she also knows the men will not accept her easily so it will be difficult.
When she gets to the unit, all the SEALs are against Bay except one. They are unhappy about her joining them and don’t want her there because they feel they will have to protect her and may get themselves killed while looking out for her. The team were very vocal about their feelings and let her know how they felt on the first day she got there.
Gabe is the only one who is comfortable with Bay being with their unit. He is a Navy Seal sniper who looks rough and ready all the time, which he is but he is also sensitive, protective and compassionate. He is the only one who accepts Bay being there and is appointed her mentor in the platoon. As her mentor, he has to teach her the things she needs to know to fit in.
Bay is very competent woman, which was nice to see. Not only did she complete the grueling 18 Delta combat medic training but she is well suited for the job being friendly and compassionate. Bay was raised as a Mountain Girl where she learned how to shoot squirrel with her dad and became an accomplished sniper. In no time she showed the team that she didn’t need to be looked after and they could depend on her in a firefight.
There isn’t much that Bay can’t do. She is almost too perfect. With Gabe mentoring Bay, they spent a lot of time together and their relationship grew. I liked that their growing feelings balanced the difficult war scenes in this story.
I love books about the military and Breaking Point was unique in having a woman in the front lines. If you like military romantic suspense, you will love this book.
Bay-lee (Doc) Thorne is a woman who volunteered for this test as part of Operation Shadow Warriors knowing it was going to be really, really hard on her. The Shadow Warriors are a top secret group of 40 women who are combat trained and ready to be put in Special Forces units. Bay knows she is qualified for any mission she is sent on because she is trained as an 18 Delta combat medic and a Navy petty officer but she also knows the men will not accept her easily so it will be difficult.
When she gets to the unit, all the SEALs are against Bay except one. They are unhappy about her joining them and don’t want her there because they feel they will have to protect her and may get themselves killed while looking out for her. The team were very vocal about their feelings and let her know how they felt on the first day she got there.
Gabe is the only one who is comfortable with Bay being with their unit. He is a Navy Seal sniper who looks rough and ready all the time, which he is but he is also sensitive, protective and compassionate. He is the only one who accepts Bay being there and is appointed her mentor in the platoon. As her mentor, he has to teach her the things she needs to know to fit in.
Bay is very competent woman, which was nice to see. Not only did she complete the grueling 18 Delta combat medic training but she is well suited for the job being friendly and compassionate. Bay was raised as a Mountain Girl where she learned how to shoot squirrel with her dad and became an accomplished sniper. In no time she showed the team that she didn’t need to be looked after and they could depend on her in a firefight.
There isn’t much that Bay can’t do. She is almost too perfect. With Gabe mentoring Bay, they spent a lot of time together and their relationship grew. I liked that their growing feelings balanced the difficult war scenes in this story.
I love books about the military and Breaking Point was unique in having a woman in the front lines. If you like military romantic suspense, you will love this book.
May 12, 2014
5 Stars!
Contemporary Military Romance
May 1, 2014
ABOUT THE BOOK: In the line of fire...
Operation Shadow Warriors. An ongoing U.S. military experiment to test the integration of trained female military operatives in live combat scenarios...
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving dryness of Afghanistan... who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel — and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she’s dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous, and unbearably attractive...
Between the open hostility from her team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for Bay. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens.
They mustn’t speak of it. Mustn’t act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed...
MY REVIEW:
Since the change in policy with women in combat, I’ve wondered when I’d come across the first book that showed it. I gotta say, it was worth the wait! This read was highly engaging, nail-biting, hot, and at times, funny as hell. It was five stars all around, and one I wanted to read again immediately.
So you have this bunch of hardened warriors and introduce a female to the mix, a female to what is considered a man’s world, and all hell breaks loose right? Exactly. It was nice to watch how Bay managed to win the hearts over with these man, but secure the one of Gabe, who’s supposed to be her superior. What a tough situation she had to hold on to, not to mention they couldn’t really fraternize.
Gabe tries to fight his feelings and attraction—of course—but he’s no match for Bay, nor is she for him. The ending left a lot open, but one thing is for sure, these two are getting their HFN (Happy For Now) and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for them with the next release.
If you want a book that gives insight into the true military world, and puts a fantastic twist on it, one where you’ll laugh and want to cry, need a cold shower, and a snuggle, then pick this up now!
Contemporary Military Romance
May 1, 2014
ABOUT THE BOOK: In the line of fire...
Operation Shadow Warriors. An ongoing U.S. military experiment to test the integration of trained female military operatives in live combat scenarios...
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving dryness of Afghanistan... who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel — and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she’s dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous, and unbearably attractive...
Between the open hostility from her team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for Bay. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens.
They mustn’t speak of it. Mustn’t act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed...
MY REVIEW:
Since the change in policy with women in combat, I’ve wondered when I’d come across the first book that showed it. I gotta say, it was worth the wait! This read was highly engaging, nail-biting, hot, and at times, funny as hell. It was five stars all around, and one I wanted to read again immediately.
So you have this bunch of hardened warriors and introduce a female to the mix, a female to what is considered a man’s world, and all hell breaks loose right? Exactly. It was nice to watch how Bay managed to win the hearts over with these man, but secure the one of Gabe, who’s supposed to be her superior. What a tough situation she had to hold on to, not to mention they couldn’t really fraternize.
Gabe tries to fight his feelings and attraction—of course—but he’s no match for Bay, nor is she for him. The ending left a lot open, but one thing is for sure, these two are getting their HFN (Happy For Now) and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for them with the next release.
If you want a book that gives insight into the true military world, and puts a fantastic twist on it, one where you’ll laugh and want to cry, need a cold shower, and a snuggle, then pick this up now!
April 7, 2014
4.5 stars
I recently found the Shadow Warriors series with Risk Taker and Degree of Risk. Both were such excellent stories that I had to grab a copy of Breaking Point and dive right in. Although there is some minor character crossover between the prior 2 stories mentioned, each can be read as a standalone set of books with no issues.
Bay-Lee aka Bay is basically thrown into the wolf's den that is a SEAL platoon being asked to make her a part of their team as part of an experimental specially trained group of military women- something that is top secret and unheard of in the field of battle. Gabe is one of the most respected members of the team and steps in to become her mentor when half the group reacts badly to her assignment on the team.
With Gabe coming off a recent divorce and Bay reeling from the loss of a loved one, each has emotional baggage but a deep connection forms between them almost immediately. Any sort of relationship/ fraternization between team members is forbidden so the better part of the story focuses on the building and strengthening of their emotional bond with no physical interaction. Both have a deep capacity to love and their feelings for each other were palpable from the start.
Plenty of battle and action scenes were included, and since Bay and Gabe are partners on the team, you really feel that action in this story much more so than in Ethan and Sarah's stories. And through Gabe you get to see the flip side of the strain on the couple separated by war duties while he is stateside and she is finishing out her rotation in Afghanistan.
While I love the emotional depth showcased in both the SEALs I have read about in this series, at times I have difficulty reconciling in my mind the rough- and- ready- operator image with the soulful men reflected on the pages and the constant heartfelt outpouring of emotions from them. Nevertheless this was a great story and I look forward to the conclusion Never Surrender in a few months.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I recently found the Shadow Warriors series with Risk Taker and Degree of Risk. Both were such excellent stories that I had to grab a copy of Breaking Point and dive right in. Although there is some minor character crossover between the prior 2 stories mentioned, each can be read as a standalone set of books with no issues.
Bay-Lee aka Bay is basically thrown into the wolf's den that is a SEAL platoon being asked to make her a part of their team as part of an experimental specially trained group of military women- something that is top secret and unheard of in the field of battle. Gabe is one of the most respected members of the team and steps in to become her mentor when half the group reacts badly to her assignment on the team.
With Gabe coming off a recent divorce and Bay reeling from the loss of a loved one, each has emotional baggage but a deep connection forms between them almost immediately. Any sort of relationship/ fraternization between team members is forbidden so the better part of the story focuses on the building and strengthening of their emotional bond with no physical interaction. Both have a deep capacity to love and their feelings for each other were palpable from the start.
Plenty of battle and action scenes were included, and since Bay and Gabe are partners on the team, you really feel that action in this story much more so than in Ethan and Sarah's stories. And through Gabe you get to see the flip side of the strain on the couple separated by war duties while he is stateside and she is finishing out her rotation in Afghanistan.
While I love the emotional depth showcased in both the SEALs I have read about in this series, at times I have difficulty reconciling in my mind the rough- and- ready- operator image with the soulful men reflected on the pages and the constant heartfelt outpouring of emotions from them. Nevertheless this was a great story and I look forward to the conclusion Never Surrender in a few months.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2014
4 STARS
Breaking Point seems like it has it all. Interesting characters, drama, romance. action, honor and heartbreaking situations.
It is non stopping action, drama I did not want to put the book down till I had finished.
The setting is in Afghan. Bay Thorn has been assigned atop secret mission. She is joining a Navy Seal team as a medic. Bay cares about people. She is brave, talented, smart. She speaks their language, and on top of it she is a sharp shooter.
Gabe Griffin is set to teach her the Navy Seals training that she will need on missions with his team.
Their are Seals who do not welcome Bay into their group. They do not think a woman can belong to their group and keep up that she will costs lives. Hammer is the biggest person outspoken against her. On first day Hammer and Bay get into a sniper rifle competition. She borrows Gabe's rifle. She has never used the military sharpshooter rifle. Bay did tell them she shot long distances to get meet for her family.
Bay proved that she could shoot and belong to their group.
The book got a little about how tough war is on everybody. How little the people of Afghan have compared to what we take for granted here in the states.(I personally live below the poor line in our country. Compared to them I am so rich. With warm house, groceries & clothes a plenty. Hey my outhouse is nailed shut.)
It also makes me want to sent a package of cookies to someone who does not receive any from home. Thank you for keeping our Country safe and trying to make a better world.
There is no boring parts to this story. I cared about Bay and was heart broken with her when some of her patients don't make it.
I like reading Lindsay McKenna's novels. They entertain, educate and leave us thankful for what we have.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
Breaking Point seems like it has it all. Interesting characters, drama, romance. action, honor and heartbreaking situations.
It is non stopping action, drama I did not want to put the book down till I had finished.
The setting is in Afghan. Bay Thorn has been assigned atop secret mission. She is joining a Navy Seal team as a medic. Bay cares about people. She is brave, talented, smart. She speaks their language, and on top of it she is a sharp shooter.
Gabe Griffin is set to teach her the Navy Seals training that she will need on missions with his team.
Their are Seals who do not welcome Bay into their group. They do not think a woman can belong to their group and keep up that she will costs lives. Hammer is the biggest person outspoken against her. On first day Hammer and Bay get into a sniper rifle competition. She borrows Gabe's rifle. She has never used the military sharpshooter rifle. Bay did tell them she shot long distances to get meet for her family.
Bay proved that she could shoot and belong to their group.
The book got a little about how tough war is on everybody. How little the people of Afghan have compared to what we take for granted here in the states.(I personally live below the poor line in our country. Compared to them I am so rich. With warm house, groceries & clothes a plenty. Hey my outhouse is nailed shut.)
It also makes me want to sent a package of cookies to someone who does not receive any from home. Thank you for keeping our Country safe and trying to make a better world.
There is no boring parts to this story. I cared about Bay and was heart broken with her when some of her patients don't make it.
I like reading Lindsay McKenna's novels. They entertain, educate and leave us thankful for what we have.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley and Harlequin.
June 1, 2014
Still hooked on reading Lindsay McKenna’s books. I am now on the 30th book and continue to be captivated by how real her characters are. Her descriptions of the protagonists in the story as well as their surroundings are so vivid that you feel that you are part of the story plot and are able to experience each moment described in the book. The author enables you to become so captivated with the plot and all its characters that you can’t wait to turn the page. In Breaking Point you share the lives of Baylee-Ann Thorn, an Army 18 Delta combat medic and Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous and a very protective, sensitive individual. In this book, as well as in all of her other books, we see the multi-faceted qualities of her main protagonists. McKenna shows us that even the toughest and lethal SEAL can behave with sensitivity, love, and understanding towards a special woman he respects and admires. His demonstration of loving tenderness towards Bay as she decompresses during her precious 30 days of R&R in Coronado goes a long way to show the love of a man for his soul mate. The author enables us to be silent witnesses to some very tender, loving and highly erotic moments between two people very much in love with each other.
As I begin reading each of her books, I can't put them down till I get to the last page. When I do that, I am filled with mixed emotions because there is always a happy ending and, yet, I am sad because I have reached the end of the book. Well...that's when I pick up the next one where the saga continues with some of the same characters of the original story I read. Can’t wait for the upcoming sequel, Never Surrender, coming in July of 2014!
I highly recommend this author!
As I begin reading each of her books, I can't put them down till I get to the last page. When I do that, I am filled with mixed emotions because there is always a happy ending and, yet, I am sad because I have reached the end of the book. Well...that's when I pick up the next one where the saga continues with some of the same characters of the original story I read. Can’t wait for the upcoming sequel, Never Surrender, coming in July of 2014!
I highly recommend this author!
July 10, 2016
Thank you to the Goodreads First Reads giveaways program for the copies of Lindsay McKenna’s forthcoming military romance, Breaking Point.
This is the fifth book in the Shadow Warriors series about a group of elite female warriors as they are secretly immersed into factions of the United States military. Breaking Point follows Bay Thorn, a highly-trained medic and sharpshooter whose integration into a platoon of Afghanistan-based Navy SEALS is met with strong resistance by the males she is supposed to work alongside. Only Gabe Griffin befriends and protects her as she proves her skills and worthiness to the opposition.
McKenna does a thorough job of illuminating the challenges of life as a female in the military. The military jargon and abbreviations, while very specific, were a bit overwhelming for this casual civilian romance reader. And though I enjoyed all the suspense and action in the story, I wish there had been more sexual and romantic development between Gabe and Bay throughout the book. Don’t get me wrong, there was a satisfying advancement of their relationship and an eventual physical connection, but I found that their love story was very much overshadowed by the exciting circumstances of their military assignments in the harsh Afghan landscape. Overall, this was an enjoyable, exhilarating read.
This is the fifth book in the Shadow Warriors series about a group of elite female warriors as they are secretly immersed into factions of the United States military. Breaking Point follows Bay Thorn, a highly-trained medic and sharpshooter whose integration into a platoon of Afghanistan-based Navy SEALS is met with strong resistance by the males she is supposed to work alongside. Only Gabe Griffin befriends and protects her as she proves her skills and worthiness to the opposition.
McKenna does a thorough job of illuminating the challenges of life as a female in the military. The military jargon and abbreviations, while very specific, were a bit overwhelming for this casual civilian romance reader. And though I enjoyed all the suspense and action in the story, I wish there had been more sexual and romantic development between Gabe and Bay throughout the book. Don’t get me wrong, there was a satisfying advancement of their relationship and an eventual physical connection, but I found that their love story was very much overshadowed by the exciting circumstances of their military assignments in the harsh Afghan landscape. Overall, this was an enjoyable, exhilarating read.
March 31, 2014
This is the latest story in the ongoing Operation Shadow Warriors series by Lindsay McKenna. Here we meet Petty Officer First-Class Hospital Corpsman Baylee-Ann Thorn. As part of a Top Secret initiative and due to the loss of their 18 Delta combat medic and sniper, Bay is assigned to the SEAL Alpha Platoon. Although she is highly trained the SEALs question her experience and skills to fit in with them. They doubt she’d ever be capable of having their six. In a little competition with the most vocal objector Bay shines!!!
Bay faces hostility and skepticism from most of the SEALs except for 1 team member, Gabe Griffin. Somehow from the very beginning with his own innate SEAL senses he trusts that she will be an asset instead of a detriment. Gabe gets assigned as her mentor and introduces her to the unique aspects of SEAL operations. While working together in war ravaged Afghanistan they cannot act upon a mutual attraction that slowly grows between them. Time, circumstances, patience and LOVE will determine their fate.
The writing has you engaged from the first page until the very end. You are drawn into the action as if you are actually there in the midst of all of the chaos. You’ll be holding your breath and cheering for OUR team!
Even more is revealed as the story of Bay and Gabe continues in a highly anticipated sequel, NEVER SURRENDER, HRS, July 2014.
Bay faces hostility and skepticism from most of the SEALs except for 1 team member, Gabe Griffin. Somehow from the very beginning with his own innate SEAL senses he trusts that she will be an asset instead of a detriment. Gabe gets assigned as her mentor and introduces her to the unique aspects of SEAL operations. While working together in war ravaged Afghanistan they cannot act upon a mutual attraction that slowly grows between them. Time, circumstances, patience and LOVE will determine their fate.
The writing has you engaged from the first page until the very end. You are drawn into the action as if you are actually there in the midst of all of the chaos. You’ll be holding your breath and cheering for OUR team!
Even more is revealed as the story of Bay and Gabe continues in a highly anticipated sequel, NEVER SURRENDER, HRS, July 2014.
July 31, 2014
The current reconfiguring of the U.S. military regarding combat training adds even more credibility this Operation Shadow Warriors series. It's Bay's schizophrenic personality swings that didn't work for me because there's a difference between being humble and being timid; reserved versus insecure; quiet or a doormat. Bay's skills are hard-earned and impressive regardless of gender, but she acts as if this is her first deployment with an elite military team.
Gabe's attitude of judging her on her merits seemed consistent and just made the other SEALs behavior seem more outrageous. Since Lindsay McKenna (and Chief M. Jaco) are legitimate military service members, retired, their take on SEALs must be authentic, which is disappointing to think so many are so quick to dismiss someone before they've seen what the person can/not do. Suzanne Brockmann's and Christina Skye's Hollywood versions of SEALs work better for my (never-served-in-the-military) reading tastes.
The instensity of the battle scenes and the detailed down-time routines are compelling along with the revelations about the pyschological costs of battle. Those passages rate 5 stars.
[Word choice oddities: used ingrain instead of ingratiate; terrorized instead of terrified; overstuff instead of overstuffed; the occasional missing article]
Gabe's attitude of judging her on her merits seemed consistent and just made the other SEALs behavior seem more outrageous. Since Lindsay McKenna (and Chief M. Jaco) are legitimate military service members, retired, their take on SEALs must be authentic, which is disappointing to think so many are so quick to dismiss someone before they've seen what the person can/not do. Suzanne Brockmann's and Christina Skye's Hollywood versions of SEALs work better for my (never-served-in-the-military) reading tastes.
The instensity of the battle scenes and the detailed down-time routines are compelling along with the revelations about the pyschological costs of battle. Those passages rate 5 stars.
[Word choice oddities: used ingrain instead of ingratiate; terrorized instead of terrified; overstuff instead of overstuffed; the occasional missing article]
June 3, 2014
This was my first time reading a Lindsay McKenna book and I totally enjoyed this extremely interesting story. It is much more than a romance book in that it gives the reader an up close and personal look into the lives that our fighting men and women live every day of their service. I have so much respect for these courageous people. The relationship between Bay and Gabe was beautiful from the start and was handled correctly by the author in that they had to remain professional while they were on duty. Thank you Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to be introduced to this author. I will definitely be reading more books by her. The only negative comments I have to make are regarding editing. There were quite a few mistakes as well as the author having Bay drive north from Boston to Washington, DC. Unless there is another Boston in a different state, Boston, MA is north of DC therefore she would be driving south to Washington, DC from Boston, MA. Also, I have to mention that there will be a sequel to this book. I do not normally like to read books with sequels until all the books are published so I was a little disappointed that this book did not contain the complete HEA.
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