Christmas with the Heroes - Janie Crouch, Josie Jade, Dominic Pierce (Calamitte Jane Pub - Dec 2025)

Series: Linear Tactical: Oak Creek, Resting Warrior Ranch, Citadel Solutions

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.

 

Duty Devoted - Dominic Pierce (Calamitte Jane Pub - July 2025)

Series: Citadel Solutions (Book 2)
 
She saves lives with steady hands. He takes them with deadly precision.
 
In the war-torn jungles of Corazón, Dr. Lauren Valentino runs a field hospital under siege—treating the wounded, protecting the innocent, and risking everything to hold the line. Knowing the danger is getting critical, Lauren's family sends Citadel Solutions security expert Logan Kane to get her out.
 
One doctor should be no problem for a battle-hardened Marine who specializes in impossible missions—even when the mission doesn't want to be rescued and a hurricane is closing in.
 
They clash instantly.
The heat between them? Instant too.
 
When communication is cut off and killers close in, Lauren and Logan are forced into the jungle. The storm's not the only thing hunting them. Survival means moving fast and finding some way of trusting each other.
 
In a world where death is always only one step behind, love might be the risk that breaks them both.
 
Or saves them.
 
Terrific second book in this series. The action and tension started on the first page and kept me turning the pages to the end. From the action to the setting, the descriptions are so vivid I felt almost as if I were there. Dual first-person POV from Lauren and Logan gives insight into their actions and feelings.
 
Doctor Lauren Valentino works for a medical outreach program, currently in the jungle of Corazón. She is highly skilled, works exceptionally well under the most challenging circumstances, and cares deeply for her patients. The story opened with an example of the conditions she works under, and I couldn't help but root for a successful outcome. We also learn that political unrest and expanding cartel activities are making conditions more dangerous. Lauren's wealthy parents pester her frequently to return to Chicago, where she "belongs."
 
Former Marine Logan is the second-in-command at Citadel Solutions. He is professional, protective, and experienced. When Lauren's parents hire Citadel Solutions to extract Lauren and her team from danger, he prepares for the worst.
 
When Logan and his team arrive, disguised as a weather research team, Lauren immediately takes exception to the plan. Logan wants to leave within a week, while she insists it will take at least a month to safeguard her patients. Matters become complicated when the cartel leader's son becomes obsessed with Lauren. She thinks politely telling him "not interested" will be the end of it, while Logan sees the danger. When the cartel leader gets involved, Lauren finally realizes the peril of her situation. Their departure suddenly becomes critical.
 
I was glued to the pages as Logan and Lauren fight for their lives. Lauren's refusal to desert a patient in need leaves her and Logan on their own to escape the cartel. Not only must they evade those out to stop them, they must also fight Mother Nature, as a hurricane makes landfall. They must learn to trust each other if they are going to escape. I enjoyed watching their connection grow as they relied on each other. I loved seeing how Logan appreciated Lauren's strength and resilience, which only added to his attraction for her. Lauren's understanding of Logan's PTSD is something he doesn't expect.
 
Just when I thought everything would work out for them, Logan allows his fears to push Lauren away. I ached for Lauren because it brought back her insecurities. Each runs from the memories of what they had as they try to convince themselves that the other is better off without them. I loved seeing Logan's friends attempt to get through to him. However, it is an unexpected twist that reveals to each of them what they almost threw away. The conclusion was an intense, nail-biting event. The teamwork was outstanding, and I loved Lauren's actions. The two epilogues were fantastic, especially seeing what is in store for their future.
 
The secondary characters were terrific. I loved the chance to get to know the team members, Tyler and Jace. Their respect for each other is evident in every interaction, while light-hearted teasing does a great job of breaking the tension. My favorite was young Elena, one of the villagers. Her presence of mind and determination to help Lauren were incredible.