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pattyfgd's review
4.0
Protecting Mari
Counterstrike, Book 1
By: Cara Carnes, Operation Alpha
Narrated by: Virginia Rose, Aaron Shedlock
Marisol is ready to start her new life. She is recently divorced from a controlling man who is not letting her go. When things get real, she calls a phone number her brother gave her for protection. Ethan comes to her side, and he is immediately taken with her. But he knows nothing can happen. He is there to protect her! Will he focus on his task? Does his heart take control? This story is fast paced and I love the action. There are a lot of characters, some crossing from Susan Stoker's Seal of Protection and Badge of Honor series. I love this concept of the world's crossing and Cara Carnes melds her story right in! Ethan is a strong, alpha male and comes across with that protective feel. Mari is a woman who will not be a victim and she does what she has to. It's suspense and romance all wrapped into a quick story that I would love to see a little longer to enjoy these characters!
Virginia Rose and Aaron Shedlock narrate this gem and it's fantastic. This team compliments each other and their voices are perfect for their roles. Rose brings out all the emotions Mari goes through, while Shedlock nails all the defense to protect her. It's a match made in heaven and a great listen.
Counterstrike, Book 1
By: Cara Carnes, Operation Alpha
Narrated by: Virginia Rose, Aaron Shedlock
Marisol is ready to start her new life. She is recently divorced from a controlling man who is not letting her go. When things get real, she calls a phone number her brother gave her for protection. Ethan comes to her side, and he is immediately taken with her. But he knows nothing can happen. He is there to protect her! Will he focus on his task? Does his heart take control? This story is fast paced and I love the action. There are a lot of characters, some crossing from Susan Stoker's Seal of Protection and Badge of Honor series. I love this concept of the world's crossing and Cara Carnes melds her story right in! Ethan is a strong, alpha male and comes across with that protective feel. Mari is a woman who will not be a victim and she does what she has to. It's suspense and romance all wrapped into a quick story that I would love to see a little longer to enjoy these characters!
Virginia Rose and Aaron Shedlock narrate this gem and it's fantastic. This team compliments each other and their voices are perfect for their roles. Rose brings out all the emotions Mari goes through, while Shedlock nails all the defense to protect her. It's a match made in heaven and a great listen.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
Marisol is a divorcee on the run from her abusive ex. He’s a cop so she gets no help from those who are supposed to protect and serve. She gets put in touch with the Counterstrike team. They are men and women who protect those in need like Mari. The Counterstrike team gets some help from the folks in the Arsenal crew (if you haven’t read the books in the Arsenal series from Cara Carnes you really should). Romantic suspense at its most fun. Witty banter, action and romance this story is a total win.
m19arta's review
2.0
I liked the story of Marisol and her struggles. Same with Ethan. I liked them both but the story was butchered. A lot of it was just chaos or things happening too fast. It's a shame cos it had a potential for something great
powerlibrarian's review
3.0
This book starts off super fast paced and intense, but then it sort of… fizzles. There are far too many characters for a 200 page book, and far too much talking and not enough action. We’re introduced to A LOT of characters who are involved in Arsenal and Counterstrike. It quickly became clear to me that even though this is labeled as the first in a series, I should have read the Arsenal series first. There was a lot of name dropping, couples from previous books making appearances, and I was generally quite confused. I wouldn’t have minded, but for a 200-page book, this shouldn’t be the primary focus. I personally love when books introduce characters from other books to get you to want to read those books, but in this case, it was too much. I needed more of Ethan and Mari. At this point, the romance felt rushed and unrealistic. It was basically love at first sight (which I’m okay with), but as the reader, I didn’t get to linger on any strong emotions since the book was so short.
The book begins with an attack from someone her ex hired, but we don’t really get much action beyond that. Even the climactic scene was over in a couple of pages without Mari ever being in any real danger. The fact that 10 operatives from Arsenal and Counterstrike were involved (I’m not sure of the exact number) really feels like overkill. I’m okay with little action if there had been a lot of romance, but those scenes were also few and far between.
All in all, it’s only a 3 star read for me, because I like my romantic suspenses to have more romance and suspense.
The book begins with an attack from someone her ex hired, but we don’t really get much action beyond that. Even the climactic scene was over in a couple of pages without Mari ever being in any real danger. The fact that 10 operatives from Arsenal and Counterstrike were involved (I’m not sure of the exact number) really feels like overkill. I’m okay with little action if there had been a lot of romance, but those scenes were also few and far between.
All in all, it’s only a 3 star read for me, because I like my romantic suspenses to have more romance and suspense.
vickylou's review
5.0
Love this - love the drop-ins from so many of our favourites... just coulda done with more, greedy one, me.
12/04/21 but... but... his name is Dobby not Dobie
I know that this series are, for the whole, quick reads... but this really deserved more paper and ink given to it. I wanted to know more... more about how Chester managed to blinker his colleague's vision... what actually happened after the fact.
Feel a little torn... I love the Arsenal, especially Jud... but I love Dax... and I love Tex too... I know that they were working in conjunction, but it did really a little 'I'm better than you at getting information...' at times...
12/04/21 but... but... his name is Dobby not Dobie
I know that this series are, for the whole, quick reads... but this really deserved more paper and ink given to it. I wanted to know more... more about how Chester managed to blinker his colleague's vision... what actually happened after the fact.
Feel a little torn... I love the Arsenal, especially Jud... but I love Dax... and I love Tex too... I know that they were working in conjunction, but it did really a little 'I'm better than you at getting information...' at times...
ofbooksncupcakes's review
4.0
A woman at the end of her rope and the saviour that she needed. I downloaded this book even before reading any of Cara Carnes other books. This is because I'm a huge fan of Susan Stoker's multi-author-verse and I always managed to find new author hidden in this gem. Having a bit of OCD when it comes to "reading order", I put this book on hold and binged through Ms Carnes "The Arsenal" series. I am instantly hooked to Ms Carnes style of writing which is sexy and gritty. Protecting Mari is the first book in Ms Carnes new series "Counterstrike" which features twins Ethan, Milo and their sister Jen. They founded Counterstrike an organisation which helps domestic abuse victims. Highly recommend this book and I cannot wait for Milo and Jen's stories.
kaity_b's review
DNF @ 50%
I don’t know why I tried.. this felt like I needed to read her other series before this one and I read the first book of that one and didn’t like it. So I give up.
also in a major slump so if there are any good books you all recommend, hit me up!
I don’t know why I tried.. this felt like I needed to read her other series before this one and I read the first book of that one and didn’t like it. So I give up.
also in a major slump so if there are any good books you all recommend, hit me up!
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