Read December 30
A Very Linear Tactical Christmas by Janie Crouch
Approx. 90 pages
One Christmas gathering. Two generations. Secrets revealed, threats handled, family strengthened.
This was a fantastic peek at the lives of the original
Linear Tactical crew and their offspring, the current leadership of Linear
Tactical. They are together, celebrating Christmas Adam (the day before Christmas
Eve ❤ )
The story mainly focuses on Lincoln Bollinger, the
brilliant though socially awkward son of Baby and Quinn Bollinger. It opens
with an online conversation between Lincoln and a computer friend known as
Mercury. I loved their interactions and how they understand each other. It serves
as an interesting introduction to the next Linear Tactical: Oak Creek book,
Hero's Touch, about Lincoln and Mercury.
The story continues with scenes from the party, many of
which involve various characters making observations about Lincoln. I loved the
scene where Lincoln and three-year-old Marie organize the dessert table. Their
observations are spot on, and other people's reactions are hilarious. I also
enjoyed the discussions between the senior members, like Dorian, and the
younger ones, like Derek, about past and present fears.
The evening becomes complicated by an unexpected
intrusion. The old guard sensed it: "They'd all felt it. Old warriors,
same radar." I laughed out loud when they were ready to handle the threat,
only to realize that the younger generation had beaten them to it. "But
the next generation hadn't waited for them. The kids had mobilized faster,
moved smoother, fallen into roles like they'd been doing this their whole
lives. Because they had." I loved their reactions, their pride in the
kids, and watching them deal with the transition.
I enjoyed the tension of the intrusion and the surprise
of its revelation. Reactions were typical of their characters, and I loved the
chaos that ensued. Scenes of the party winding down, with commentary on various
events, came full circle with an unplanned conversation between Lincoln and
Mercury. I can't wait to read Hero's Touch.
Montana Whiteout by Josie Jade
Approx. 40 pages
They went into the storm knowing someone might not come
back.
Christmas Eve "family" dinner at Resting
Warrior Ranch. Laughter and chaos with kids running around and adults telling
stories on each other. Loved the bit about Jude, the Friendly Giant. The
evening becomes complicated when a blizzard hits, and Beckett and Audra hear
about a dog abandoned in the snow. Along with Cooper, they brave whiteout
conditions to find the animal. The tension is palpable as the weather worsens,
and they barely see the dog in time, shocked to discover she has four puppies.
I loved how Cooper took custody of the dogs and felt the intensity
of trying to find shelter from the blizzard. I laughed out loud when he showed
up on Travis's doorstep. Their interactions with each other and the puppies
were fun. There are flashbacks to Cooper's past that serve as a poignant
lead-in to his story, due out soon.
The story continues in the next chapter as Beckett and Audra
arrive at Pawsitive Connections, where they are caring for the animals while
the owner is out of town. Their mission becomes complicated when one of the
animals, Al Pacacino, has escaped into the storm. The very real danger of whiteout
conditions keeps the tension high as they search for the missing alpaca. I
loved the ending.
Operation Dark Tidings by Dominic Pierce
Approx. 20 pages
Weapons loaded. Comms tight. Target acquired. Christmas was never supposed to be the mission.
This is sort of a bonus epilogue to the book Duty
Devoted, in which the Citadel crew rescued an American doctor from a Central American
drug cartel. Here, the crew bands together to deliver Christmas to the locals
she had to leave behind. I loved the crew's determination to get it right without
putting the villagers in danger. The intensity kept me hooked from start to
finish as I saw them carry out their mission.
Approx. 90 pages
One Christmas gathering. Two generations. Secrets revealed, threats handled, family strengthened.
Approx. 40 pages
Approx. 20 pages
Weapons loaded. Comms tight. Target acquired. Christmas was never supposed to be the mission.
