Customer Reviews

With No Remorse

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then FEEL the answer. Learn to trust your heart."

Gosh, what's not to love about Luke? I love his sense of humor and he's sexy as sin, sensual, strong, caring and he's got enough self-doubts to make him human and accessible to my humble self. And he's got a heart of gold. Luke is worth your time and money and deserves five stars. The plot is good, there is enough action and romance and as always you get to see a lot of his "brothers" in action. Loved all this affectionate bantering and their interaction. So amazing!

Why I didn't give 5 stars:

I couldn't warm up to Valentina. To be honest, she couldn't live up to my expectations. And I didn't feel "connected". I wanted her to be more emotional throughout the story and I wanted her to trust Luke. Completely. Always. She had a major TSTL moment when she called her ex. I couldn't believe it and I got rather angry. She had her good moments, especially at the end of the book but it didn't do it for me, though. I remember Gabe and Jenna. What a couple! When I look back now, it is not only Gabe I loved so much in SNM but also Jenna. Jenna gave everything she had; she was extremely feisty and a wonderful smart-mouth and I love to see when a heroine brings the hero to his knees!

Anyway, back to With No Remorse. There's Joe...He did step up to the plate, too. He's also a guy who hides a lot of pain underneath his usually cool exterior. I'm absolutely sure that Steph is strong enough to make him come undone at the right moment. He'll be the hero of the final BOI's book "Last Man Standing". According to the author it'll be very dramatic and the sneak peek is highly promising! I am on pins and needles and can't wait to read his story! Currently I'm wondering what will happen after Last Man Standing will be released? With No Remorse featured a few new guys especially Mike "Primetime" Brown. I think that Cindy has a few options left for her readers...(less)

In my opinion, Cindy Gerard writes one of the best Black Ops series in the market today and she's on auto-read along with authors like Christy Reece and Pamela Clare in the romantic suspense department. This can be a good or a bad thing because I tend to hold their books to a much higher standard and I can't tell if this is the reason why I was left unsure of how to rate this particular installment. The writing is very good, the bad guys are believably bad, the hero was alpha hot, but the heroine was wishy washy and the chemistry was simply lacking something. In this genre, it's still a solid 4 read and would work as a standalone if you haven't read this series before, but for Ms. Gerard, it's more like a 3. On the upside, if you have read the series, most of the regulars are back and its always great to see them working together.

While Luke "Doc" Colter is on two weeks vacation, he spends his time working with other medical professionals providing health care in Peru and not sunning himself in Italy as he stated in the last book. When it's time to leave his two weeks of peace, he boards the midnight train to the airport to go back to work with Black Ops, Inc, but his peaceful mission is deeply disturbed when the train gets hijacked and gun men start searching the train very obviously for the tall lanky boy sitting across from Luke. Knowing nothing good can come to the boy, Luke intervenes, saves him and pushes him off the train in escape, only to find out that the boy is actually a woman, and not just any woman. She's actually the supermodel and Luke's boyhood fantasy, Valentina. Valentina has been in Peru to escape the ugly details and news splash of her recent divorce, meanwhile dealing with her severe trust issues, and claiming back her independence. She has no idea why these people are after her, but she finds herself, once again, dependent on a man, and this time it's for her very survival as well as her heart.

This installment to the Black Ops series starts out with a bang, has plenty of action, and steamy bedroom scenes, but for all that, it was actually missing that magical chemistry I'm so used to with Ms. Gerard's books. Luke is charming and witty as ever, but dealing with a lot of baggage since he almost died in the last book. I was definitely not impressed with Valentina and although she turns out to be a supermodel with gumption, she has a major TSTL (too stupid to live) moment with someone who had already proven he was not trustworthy. In terms of Luke and Val together, 14 hours of acquaintence was not enough time for these two to be worried about long term relationships, especially with armed murderous mercenaries chasing after them, but we find ourselves reading about just that and it didn't feel natural. I could relate a heck of a lot more if they had simply worried about survival first and then asked one anther on a date when it was all over. Bottom line, we know how these all end, but this one was predictable from start to finish.

This is a great example of a series that gets better and better. This is not a review for a plot synopsis (see the publisher's blurb and other reviews), and no spoilers, but the point is to describe the stronger (or not) points in case someone is wondering about jumping in and trying the books out.

Yes there is a bit of a 'formula' involved--the BOI series revolves around a group of guys--not exactly mercenaries, but 'black ops' types of former SEALS, Rangers, Force Recon, even CIA (and I'm sure I've left out somebody), who only contract with 'Uncle' to do the right thing for the right reasons etc. They are strong, hot, 'skilled', competent, moral etc. Each man has some kind of history that makes them a tad 'wounded', but when they find that extra special gal, they fall hard and fast and get to save the day. The author has been working her way through the group getting them to their happy endings. She uses a variety of female leads--reporter, blackjack dealer, teacher, doctor (a significant supporting character), intelligence agent etc who have varying levels of skills, but are ultimately brave and tough.

I really love how this author writes--she does her research and gets the details right (well, for some of it I'm guessing she is right--I really have no idea about the nuances of the various Glock models for example). She touches on real life horrors--Sierra Leone, human trafficking, guns, drugs. She doesn't make the characters perfect...they can be snarky, grumpy and yes, even have a few 'too stupid to live' moments. But, she does make you care about them without preaching or 'telling' you what they are--she shows what they are.

I also like how each story has building blocks found elsewhere in the series. The characters from the other books still play significant roles and you get to see them in action again. There is also an overriding theme that goes back to a mission-gone-wrong in Sierra Leone years before...every book has some reason to think about this and, going by the hints in this book and the preview for the next, it looks like there might be some final closure.

In other words, not just some fluffy romance reading (not that there's anything wrong with fluff of course!). This is the GOOD stuff for 'romantic suspense'.

Regarding this book in particular...Luke/"Doc" has been quite the supporting character in all the stories. He was badly injured in the previous book, and I love how this book shows how difficult it is to come to terms with something like that. He gets to meet a hot supermodel--and the only weakness I think in this book is that Valentina is perhaps not given enough backstory, she is a little less believable (supermodel with traumatic event in childhood, has her fears/insecurities etc, but I wonder how she avoided being totally spoiled).

Some don't like how she called her ex at one point in the book--however later we do find out why she does have some reason to think he'd be loyal (whether right or wrong, there is reason). In reality would you necessarily completely trust the stranger (who, granted did just do heroic things to save you, but really what do you know about him)? I think she was right not to want to fall too hard, too fast given her history of insecurities. This is now verging into spoiler territory and time to stop.

In any case, this is the next to last book in the BOI series and is well worth reading. If you have not read the prior books in the series though you could start here I do recommend you start at the beginning to avoid confusion and to understand the sub plots. Even the first book is one that had antecedents in her previous Bodyguards series--I felt 'Show No Mercy' was better having gone back to read the Bodyguards first. It's not necessary, but I do recommend reading them too. The series (with Kindle links because that is how I read them):

Black Ops Incorporated:

Show No Mercy (Gabe & Jenna)

Take No Prisoners (Sam & Abbey)

Whisper No Lies (Johnny & Crystal)

Feel the Heat (Black Ops, Inc.) (Raphael & BJ)

Risk No Secrets (Black Ops, Inc.) (Wyatt & Sophie)

Deadly Promises Anthology containing "Leave No Trace" (Cav & Carrie)

With No Remorse (Luke & Val)

The Bodyguards:

To the Edge

To the Limit

To the Brink

Over the Line

Under the Wire

Into the Dark

(Amazon limits number of product links, but you get the idea)

In any case, I really like the Bodyguards, and I really love the BOI series. I think this book is a great addition and I highly recommend this book--and all the rest of them too.

JTG

I received this book around 5:30 pm yesterday, and finished it around midnight. It was that good - I could NOT put it down. Honestly, Johnny Reed and Tink have always been my favorites in the BOI series, but after reading Luke's story J & T have been relegated to second place. Luke "Doc" Coulter is still trying to come to terms with being "gut shot" nearly a year ago, and is questioning everything: his mortality, his abilities, even his reasoning for doing what he does with BOI. He meets Valentina, a down-to-earth and unassuming supermodel who's trying to lay low for a while, and ends up helping her escape from the bad guys. Luke may be questioning his ability to continue with BOI and whether he still "has it", but as the reader we see him time and again step up to the plate and do what has to be done, relying on his training, skills and intellect to protect Val and get them both to safety. There's no question in anyone's mind but Luke's that he still "has it".

I loved this story because while Luke is the same funny, all-out sexy guy we've come to know through the other stories, he is also very realistically human. My heart actually hurt for him when Valentina called her ex to come get her, after all Luke had done to take care of her. There were moments when I almost cried (near the end, when she's in the limo and he's in the truck). And the sex scenes - well, let's just say I had to fan myself after a few of them, they were that hot.

I enjoyed seeing the other BOI members near the end, and I'm very much looking forward to Joe Green's story. Not happy that it will be the last one, but I think Cindy Gerard is opening the door for another series with Mike "Primetime" Brown.

If you're a Cindy Gerard fan, With No Remorse is a must-have addition to your library.

This was a good story but there was too much foul language. Perhaps the author was just trying to fill space for lack of decent language?

The books in this series are like addictive drugs for romantic suspense readers. From the beginning I fell for these men and have enjoyed reading about their love and adventure. The author pulls you into their world (her world) and allows you to experience a dangerous and exciting world.

I have been waiting for Luke's story, he just seems so . . . . delicious . . . and this did not disappoint. Luke and Val were fun, hot, and exciting. The interaction between the characters (not just the main characters) pulls at your emotional strings, leaving you heartbroken, hopeful, and happy . . . and not necessarily in that order.

For those of you who have not read any of the books in this series, do not start here! Go back to the first (Show no mercy), it will be well worth it.

Black Ops, Inc. (BOI) agent Luke "Doc Holliday" Colter takes a respite from the last operation to heal from some near fatal life support wounds he received in San Salvador (see Risk No Secrets). In the Peruvian Andes, he rides a train while musing that the biggest injury he suffered was his backbone has melted away as he now has doubts. However, in the dark banditos assault the train. He initially assumed it was a robbery, but changes his mind when he realizes they target a young male passenger.

The lad is actually supermodel Valentina who is in disguise following the scandal involving her former husband US Senator Marcus Chamberlin. Doc gets Valentina off the train after killing two of the cold hearted mercenaries. They flee while their persistent pursuers chase them. He realizes he cannot keep her safe from whatever she is not telling him. He needs his BOI mates ASAP. The truth is deadlier than he imagined as she is an unaware she is an expendable pawn in an international terrorist plot.

The sixth BOI romantic suspense (see Feel the Heat is an exciting thriller from the opening assault on the transport train and never slows down as Doc understands the mission first and his teenage-like lust last. Valentina is a fascinating woman in trouble but her courage under fire proves to Doc there is much more to her than just glamour and sex appeal. This is a fun tale as Cindy Gerard provides another edgy dark tour of a foreign nation.

Harriet Klausner

With No Remorse takes place about a year after the end of Risk No Secrets, in which Luke has a life-altering experience. Luke is full of doubt about his ability to remain a viable member of Black Ops, Inc., and is a man facing true fear for the first time. Suddenly, everything he has known about himself, about his character and his self worth is in doubt and in question. Does he want to continue being with BOI? Can he work through the fear? How much should he have to give? I was in tears before we ever got out of the gate with this story, and I am tearing up again just thinking about it.

Luke meets Valentina, his lifelong dream girl, on a train in Peru, of all places. Bad guys are following her, and Luke finds himself reluctantly playing the hero once more. Here, Luke and Val are two of a kind. While Luke slips naturally back into his training, and steps up to the plate to get Val to safety, she is hardly a slouch. Swollen knee, freezing cold, altitude sickness? No problem. No, Val just kind of hangs on and does what she has to in order to survive. When she claims to feel like a coward, Luke tells her it is how you handle the fear that defines you, not feeling the fear. Val is a terrific heroine, very strong and aside from one brief tstl moment, smart about taking help. Loved how she interacted with BJ and Crystal.

Luke, as I said, is having a crisis of faith when he kind of gets pushed into the hero role. There are so many heartwrenching moments, especially in the first part of the book, about Luke's self doubt, and his fear. I can't recall any hero who has been so brutally honest about his genuine fear, or the fact that he would rather find an escape route than a weapon...yet he still comes to the aid of a person in trouble, albeit reluctantly at first, because that is what heroes do. The admission of his feelings in no way lessons his impact as a hero. Instead, it makes him all that much more approachable and believable in the role. He does what he has to do because that is who he is, at least for Val.

Joe Green also plays a decent sized role in With No Remorse. Along with Luke, Joe seems to be having issues. While Luke questions how much longer he will work for BOI, Joe is filled with rage over the death of their teammate so long ago. Together, this sets a more serious overlay to the tone than I have noticed in the past.

That said, there is also a great deal of humor in the book. "You had me at potato." Runaway mules with bony backs... Great BOI moments, with Johnny and Gabe, Crystal, BJ and Rafe, and of course, Nate. Nice romance, steamy and sweet. The blend of action and romance is just about perfect, a nice blend of sexy and suspenseful. Cindy Gerard crafts a tightly woven, richly detailed plot that grabs you at the beginning and never lets the reader up for air until the end.

Loved With No Remorse. Johnny Reed has always been my very favorite Gerard hero, but I think Luke is giving him a run for the money.

Almost without fail, authors screw up my favorite character when they get around to their stories. In the disappointing tradition of Lindsay Sands (sad Thomas), JR Ward (Phury was just pathetic), Kresley Cole (poor Regin, and one word - vivisection!!!)--- I could go on forever --- they take a really fun character, re-write him as only fun on the outside but really torchered and deep. Come on. And do I need to read about how tough super models have it? Really? Still a great series overall, I hope this was a minor misstep for an otherwise entertaining and reliably good author.

With No Remorse is a hard hitting nail-biter that rocks off the charts of the heat index. Ms. Gerard never fails to intrigue. Her heroes are Americas fighting forces, men with strong moral values. Her heroines are independent women, who know how to expose the tenderness these tough guys are valiantly trying to hide. A great read. Heide Katros, reviewer www.heidekatros.com