Customer Reviews

Show No Mercy (Black Ops, Book 1)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I loved Show No Mercy. Gerard just gets better with each book she writes. The characters in SNM had such great depth and Gerard really gave them excellent back stories to reveal their personalities and reasons for why they are who they are. Gabe was your great alpha, don't-want-to-love-again hero. But, he was so much more than just your typical alpha hero and wasn't just a cliche. Jenna was a tough, yet vulnerable, very likeable heroine and the two had great chemistry together.

What I especially liked was the balance of romance to suspense. It seems more and more romantic suspense books are leaning more to the suspense story and the romance is more of an afterthought or just a sub-plot. Some seem to think if there is the prerequisite sex scene or two that constitutes a romance. Not so, in my mind. Gerard knows how to write great romance and her suspense stories are taut and nail-biting. I can't wait to read the next in the series. The excerpt at the end of SNM was really a teaser - it didn't even reveal who the hero is in the story! But, it will surely be great whoever gets to be featured, as she laid out the groundwork for the next books well and she presented the characters well so that the reader will want to read more about them.

This book features two characters dealing with various emotional scars, who are forced to team up to combat not only external forces, but also their own inner demons.

Jenna is a hotshot, globe-trotting reporter who is struggling to come to terms with an event that left her questioning, on very fundamental levels, who is she and if she'll ever be able to reclaim her sense of self.

Gabriel is a man scarred both physically and emotionally. A true alpha male in every sense of the term, he is take charge and intensely focused and skilled in matters of combat. He is also dealing with a profound loss, and extreme guilt and anger that have left him closed off emotionally.

While less capable authors would take the aforementioned factors and use them to create a novel that is little more than unrelieved melancholy and characters who are (voluntarily or otherwise) self-centered, Gerard allows her characters to be very real, in terms of being simultaneously flawed and honorable, grief-stricken and truly funny and snarky.

As Jenna and Gabe grow closer (whether they like it or not), their romance does not in any way take away from the action and danger, and the almost palpable suspense, and the reverse holds true, as well. What the reader is left with, then, is a novel that is equal parts action and romance, which is a rarity this day and age, as all too often authors allow one aspect or the other to languish undeveloped or virtually ignored while the other receives most of the attention.

Fortunately, Cindy Gerard has proven that she is adept at handling everything from explosions and gunfights, to passionate love scenes and intensely emotional conversations. This is a very well-written book that is a truly great kickoff to what promises to be a fantastic new series.

MERCY ME! - Make way on your keeper shelves for the next great romantic adventure series, Black Ops, Inc. by Cindy Gerard coming October 2008 for Pocket Star Books starting with Book #1, SHOW NO MERCY which is sheer reading pleasure from first page to last! In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gabriel Jones and a team from Black Ops, Inc. have been hired to protect unpopular American business mogul Emilio Maxim, on his visit to the National Congress building. However, they're really watching Maxim for his connection to Rashman Hudin, who is a primary suspect in an international plot to wreak havoc between Western democracies and Jihadists and tied into their former MC6 op of destroying a Nazi mind control compound in Argentina. BOI is a special team of former Special Ops military men, who are now all mercenaries working privately with a lot less regulations than when they were on Uncle Sam's payroll. Gabriel is waiting on the street for Maxim disguised as a drunken peasant in a dirty poncho and scuffed boots which conceals his weapon of choice, a lethal Butterfly blade that he never leaves home without. However, instead of Maxim, Gabe is shocked to see the beautiful, redheaded, mouthy American journalist, Jenna McMillan he thought he said good-bye to for good after the MC6 mission 9 months ago. Jenna is again on assignment in Argentina for Newsday to interview, Maxim and to prove to herself she has the guts to go back into a dangerous situation for a story and because there's a certain mercenary she can't seem to forget. When Maxim finally arrives the mission is a total disaster! There's not only a car that arrives with a masked gunman firing an AK-47 but another car that drives right up onto the sidewalk obviously triggered with a bomb! Gabe makes a flying leap to tackle Jenna and saves her life but when he wakes up with a wounded leg, she is far from grateful. Gabe and Jenna's adversarial relationship takes right back up where they left off but it soon becomes apparent that their feelings for each other and who exactly needs protection isn't always clear.

SHOW NO MERCY shows that Cindy Gerard knows how to craft phenomenal romantic suspense! She shows this through her absolutely fantastic hotter-than-life characters. She shows this through their fabulous verbal repartee. She shows this through her thrillingly dangerous plots. She shows this through her heart-in-your-throat passionate love stories. And finally Ms. Gerard shows us why she's a New York Times bestselling author!

I truly don't mean to be mean-spirited about this book, but I thought it was terrible. It took me a week to get through 40 pages because I had to keep putting it down from sheer boredom. It was full of cliches, such as the boss man saying "I want to have your baby" in response to the gal agreeing to take a job he wanted her for. Overall, it seemed like a poor rip-off of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter's series. Gerard's black ops group was founded by a former spec op, who got his old comrades to join his private black ops company, just like Brockmann's series. But, these characters do not compare to Brockmann's, and I'm not even that big of a fan of the Brockmann series.

There was a part of the story where the main guy, Gabe, gets hurt saving the main gal, Jennifer, and while they are speeding in a car with other ops guys, they are being pursued and shot at, and while all this life and death stuff is going on, Jennifer is wondering about Gabe and how she was so into him (they had known each other previously), and questioning the other ops about what they were doing in Argentina. Give me a break! I have never been shot at, thankfully, but I'm certain if anyone was in a situation like that, the last thing they'd be concerned about was a past love and interrogating the fellow passengers.

The whole book just seemed ridiculous, with the female character being the worst. I'm glad others enjoyed it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Very juvenile, and the writing just not up to par with other black ops type books.

After a horrifying experience in Argentina, Jenna McMillan is determined to get right back into that saddle. She's been hiding out at her parent's home trying to recover and after a few days of soul searching, accepts a job to return to Argentina, face her fears and hopefully run into Gabe Jones. He helped save her from the hellhole she was in and before he sent her on her way home, he left her with the memory of the most fantastic kiss of her life. She's about to meet her contact in Buenos Aires when an explosion goes off a split second after a reeking bum launched himself at her. That reeking bum turned out to be Gabriel and when he regains consciousness, he's less than pleased to see her again. It's one explosion or gunfight after another and Gabriel is determined to see her fine tail back on an airplane headed straight back for the States, until the men of Black Ops, Inc. realize that the target of that explosion was Jenna. Now he refuses to let her out of his sight as they both struggle to find the one known only as "El Diablo". When the psychotic killer targets both him and Jenna, Gabe literally fights his way to her while half dead. The killer is reenacting a past scenario, but this time Gabe is determined to change the past even if he has to sacrifice himself to do it.

I liked it. I have't read any of the other Bodyguard series books, most notably the last one, so I lost a bit in the reading of this book. Show No Mercy follows pretty closely on the heels of Into The Dark but it was okay. I might have been confused a moment or two, but I was able to follow along. There's a lot of players running around this book and not all of them are involved with the actual plot, which looks pretty intricate at first, but it quickly turns into a straight revenge tale. Alot of time is spent in the beginning half of the book setting up the new world of the Black Ops, Inc and the current mission. I'll admit it was a little boring at first (maybe because I hadn't read Into The Dark) but it picks up in the second half.

Gabe is alpha to the max but he seems to fly under the radar. He's not so much in-your-face, but more tired and weary as he heads up yet another mission that will save the world. He's getting more and more lost yet he refuses to see the beacon of light Jenna represents almost until it's too late. He's got that twisted logic that everything good around him dies so he tries to send Jenna away from him for her own good. Jenna was sweet and had a sarcastic wit that I liked. She was pretty pragmatic, too. She wants Gabe, wants to save him, but if it didn't work out, I didn't think she would have been too devastated. She fought for him as much as she could, but in her eyes there was only so much she could take before his stubborness was too much for her.

There was definitely more suspense and action than lovey dovey romance but it was fun and exciting and I enjoyed it. The second half of the book ran along almost non stop and it doesn't slow down until the end. Cindy Gerard already has some sequels planned out and she teases us with the possible beginnings of a few romances in this book. This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait for the next offering in the Black Ops books. Enjoy!

OK, to be fair, I really, really enjoyed most of this book. Probably still wouldn't give it 5 stars...not enough romance for me...but I would have given it a solid 4 1/2 for the suspense.

What stops me and drops it down to a 4 star is that I was so confused upon starting this book as it didn't appear to be a new series...I was told it was book ONE in the series...when really it just apparently picks up where the bodyguards series left off (which I have not yet read...). This really bothers me as I probably will not go back and read the other ones because I hate reading out of order...I mean I now know what happens to the couple & the bad guys!!

Therefore, yes I definitely recommend it but you should read the bodyguards series first...or at least the last book in that series I believe...it might make things easier that I had them!

Gabriel Jones was a member of a secretive special ops unit that only the President and a few others knew existed until his commanding officer, Captain Nathan Louis Black retired and started his own special ops unit- Black Ops, Inc. Gabe rescued journalist Jenna McMillan in Argentina when she was kidnapped while working on a story. Jenna has never been the same. Her abduction, then the kiss she shared with Gabe after her rescue, changed her. Nine months later, Jenna is still licking her wounds on her family's ranch when she decides to take her life back. She's sent to Argentina again to write a story on rich and possibly shady entrepreneur, Emilio Maxim. Jenna isn't in Argentina long when Gabe saves her life again. Thrown into a battle they weren't expecting, Gabe, Jenna, and the rest of the B.O.I team are trying to figure out what's going on while attempting to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Jenna is falling hard for Gabe but Gabe's built a seemingly impenetrable wall around his heart. While they fight to stop a madman, Jenna fights to win the heart of the man she's fallen in love with.

Show No Mercy has it all: a scarred hero, a courageous heroine, and enough thrills and chills to fill every page. The things Gabe has seen and done have left him a tortured soul. It takes him a long angst-filled time to see that Jenna can heal him. Gabe's brooding, no-nonsense attitude and his intense good looks make him irresistible. Jenna is one tough chick. She wears her heart on her sleeve and had me cheering for her the whole time. Adrenaline pumping action, heartbreaking drama, a psychotic villain with his graphic tortures, and sizzling passion, fill the pages of Show No Mercy. It's fantastic! I can't wait to see what kind of trouble the rest of the men of Black Ops, Inc. get into!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Spunky journalist heroine, who had some emotional trauma from being kidnapped in Argentina 9 months before, goes back to Argentina for requested assignment to interview wealthy but shady American mogul. Once again, she is rescued by tortured Hero who's trying to harden his heart against her in order to prevent further emotional loss. But heroine is very determined to make Hero care for her. Their relationship struggles are only heightened by the various assassination/kidnapping attempts on their lives.

I didn't enjoy this Gerard book compared to the next 2 in this series. My main beef is that heroine was clearly more in love with Hero. Hero was still suffering from trauma & loss of his tortured & murdered girlfriend. Heroine had this "I'll take whatever crumb he'll give me" approach that was really hiding her desperate need to be loved by him like the way he loved his deceased girlfriend. Although she was strong in many ways, she appeared a bit pathetic to me in the love department. I liked the action-suspense part. Love scenes were ok too.

Somewhat recommended.

Did I mention Wow? I absolutely loved this book it's got everything you could possibly want in a romantic suspense; uber alpha-male hero, exotic locations, suspense, drama, explosions, gunfights, hot sweaty jungles, passionate love scenes, psychotic villains,movie-worthy action scenes and some of the most touching dialogue I've read (gotta love those tortured heroes.) There's also a sweet secondary romance and best of all a whole team of Black Ops just waiting to have their stories told next.

Usually with a book it's somewhat entertaining or nice to read before bed well SHOW NO MERCY gave me actual emotions. At times my heart was racing, I was tense, sad, angry, and found myself swearing with surprise. Then just when I thought everything was going to be all wrapped up nice and happily-ever-after Gerard twisted the ending, briefly left me hanging and created a lifelong fan. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I've just ordered the rest of the Black-Ops series.

Only two things could take journalist Jenna McMillan back to Buenos Aires after being held captive by terrorists months before: a rare interview with reclusive billionaire Maxim and the memory of the tough and oh so sexy man who saved her before. Gabriel Jones is a warrior and after a lifetime in the military and profound personal loss he is scarred both inside and out. Missions and combat are his way of life now.

He and the other members of Black-Ops have just been hired to protect Maxim which is a happy coincidence because they're also watching him for presumed terrorist connections. So when a bomb explodes at Jenna's interview Gabe is right there to save her life although he's badly injured in the process. When it becomes apparent that Jenna not Maxim is the target she's forced to join Gabe and the mercenaries. However this is no coincidence and a ruthless enemy is now stalking them both.

THEN things really heat up and man there's a lot going on. With Gabe and Jenna fighting for their lives (and Gabe briefly turning into Rambo) their growing feelings take center stage and the sexual tension is almost as fantastic as the fast paced action. Jenna is strong yet vulnerable and Gabe is filled with so much guilt that he may never let her into his heart, turning his back on her just when he needs her most.

I will admit in the beginning my mind wandered as we got a very detailed back story and introduction to a huge cast of characters however things picked up rapidly and chapter 25 nearly put me over the edge... I'll be back for TAKE NO PRISONERS, Cheers!

Show No Mercy by Cindy Gerard

Mass paperback release date September 23, 2008
4 ½ stars

Non-stop action and fantastic characters kick start this new series into an explosive way.

Jenna McMillan is an ace-reporter suffering from a traumatizing rescue in Argentina. She is haunted by her abduction and disturbed by the memory of a sizzling kiss with her rescuer, Gabriel Jones. Feeling lost, she escapes to her family's ranch until she is convinced to return to Argentina to interview the rich, Emilio Maxim. However, this interview soon turns deadly. While waiting for Emilio, Jenna is nearly killed by a car bomb. Thankfully, she is again rescued by the mysterious Gabriel!

Although mercenary Gabriel doesn't want to have anything to do with Jenna, he can't deny his attraction to her. When she leaves Argentina, he is frustrated to find himself wanting her. Jenna stirs feelings Gabriel doesn't want, even if the woman is irresistible. His past has left him wary of any soft emotions and wants only to concentrate on his job with his Black Ops teammates.

Cindy Gerard again proves her ability to write a fantastic book. Her characters are believable and immensely satisfying to read. This was largely due to the heroine. Many times, I find the hero is wonderful but somehow the heroine is strangely flat. Not the case in this book! Jenna is: tough, sassy and compassionate. She is more than a match for the stoic Gabriel. Many times I found myself laughing out loud with her snappy come backs! The sparkling dialogue between the two is worth the price of the book.

Reviewed by Steph at Bookaholics Romance Book Club