Scan barcode
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
Ce roman, je le garde précieusement dans ma PAL depuis sa sortie, parce que jusqu'à il y a peu de temps, c'était le tout dernier tome de cette incroyable série de Pamela Clare, du coup, j'étais incapable de me décider à le lire, parce que pour moi, cela signifiait des adieux irrémédiables avec cette série, ces personnages, et cette plume de dingue.
Seulement, Pamela Clare est parvenue à franchir les obstacles qui se dressaient en travers de son chemin, et a pu poursuivre cette série, à sa guise. Du coup, j'ai juste eu à attendre le mois de décembre, histoire d'être encore plus dans l'ambiance, pour me plonger dans ce tome 7.5.
Le moins qu'on puisse dire, c'est que l'auteur nous réserve un vrai feu d'artifices ! C'est un tome haletant, un condensé d'action qui fait irrémédiablement penser à un film d'action, et tout particulièrement au génial Piège de cristal !
Ce soir-là, deux soirées de Noël se tiennent dans un grand hôtel de Denver, et quasiment tous les couples de la série sont présents, à l'une ou à l'autre. Dès le début, les choses se corsent car un groupe de terroristes prend l'hôtel d'assaut, menaçant les autorités de tuer tous les otages si, à minuit, leurs revendications ne sont pas satisfaites.
Le récit est savamment découpé en différentes parties, où on suit le pov de différents personnages, avec à chaque fois en guise d'introduction, l'heure qui nous est donnée. Ce décompte ajoute au stress, et Pamela Clare décrit minutieusement les actes de chacun des personnages, on suit à travers leurs yeux tout ce qu'ils font pour essayer de contrecarrer les plans des terroristes, ce qui fait qu'on ne peut que retenir notre souffle et nous ronger les sangs, en nous demandant comment tout cela va se terminer. J'avoue qu'à mes yeux de française, toutes ces descriptions d'armes à feu me laisse perplexe et mal à l'aise, mais dans le contexte, il est tout à fait normal que les personnages soient confrontés à l'utilisation de tels objets.
Les personnages font preuve de bravoure, de solidarité et d'héroïsme, et certains sont dans des situations vraiment délicates. Je pense notamment à Kat, qui traverse un vrai cauchemar ce soir-là, sa situation ajoutant encore à la tension, tant le contraste est fort entre ce qui lui arrive et ce qui se passe autour d'elle.
Tous les mecs de cette série sont des badass, on le sait, mais là franchement, on est au top du level ! Marc nous la joue John McClane, j'ai vraiment eu peur pour lui, et une scène en particulier m'a déchirée le coeur, sachant que c'est mon héros préféré de cette série, et un de mes héros préféré tout court, tous livres confondus.
La bromance Marc/Julian prend ici une dimension beaucoup plus grave et profonde, donnant lieu sur la fin à une scène infiniment touchante.
Il faut aussi savoir que Pamela Clare a emprunté à Kaylea Cross des personnages de sa série FBI Hostage Rescue Team et du coup, cela m'a donné envie de découvrir les histoires de ces hommes. Ils constituent une partie de l'équipe des forces de l'ordre dépêchées sur place pour neutraliser les terroristes.
Si les hommes et les femmes de cette série souffrent dans ce roman, et sont confrontés à des peurs et des moments terribles, on les voit aussi exprimer l'amitié, l'amour et le respect qu'ils ont les uns pour les autres. On assiste également à des scènes érotiques avec les différents couples, la dernière étant pour moi de trop, mais elle fait parfaitement sens avec les évènements de la soirée.
En bref, Pamela Clare a encore une fois frappé très fort avec ce roman, montrant une fois de plus son incroyable talent en matière de scènes d'action !
Seulement, Pamela Clare est parvenue à franchir les obstacles qui se dressaient en travers de son chemin, et a pu poursuivre cette série, à sa guise. Du coup, j'ai juste eu à attendre le mois de décembre, histoire d'être encore plus dans l'ambiance, pour me plonger dans ce tome 7.5.
Le moins qu'on puisse dire, c'est que l'auteur nous réserve un vrai feu d'artifices ! C'est un tome haletant, un condensé d'action qui fait irrémédiablement penser à un film d'action, et tout particulièrement au génial Piège de cristal !
Ce soir-là, deux soirées de Noël se tiennent dans un grand hôtel de Denver, et quasiment tous les couples de la série sont présents, à l'une ou à l'autre. Dès le début, les choses se corsent car un groupe de terroristes prend l'hôtel d'assaut, menaçant les autorités de tuer tous les otages si, à minuit, leurs revendications ne sont pas satisfaites.
Le récit est savamment découpé en différentes parties, où on suit le pov de différents personnages, avec à chaque fois en guise d'introduction, l'heure qui nous est donnée. Ce décompte ajoute au stress, et Pamela Clare décrit minutieusement les actes de chacun des personnages, on suit à travers leurs yeux tout ce qu'ils font pour essayer de contrecarrer les plans des terroristes, ce qui fait qu'on ne peut que retenir notre souffle et nous ronger les sangs, en nous demandant comment tout cela va se terminer. J'avoue qu'à mes yeux de française, toutes ces descriptions d'armes à feu me laisse perplexe et mal à l'aise, mais dans le contexte, il est tout à fait normal que les personnages soient confrontés à l'utilisation de tels objets.
Les personnages font preuve de bravoure, de solidarité et d'héroïsme, et certains sont dans des situations vraiment délicates. Je pense notamment à Kat, qui traverse un vrai cauchemar ce soir-là, sa situation ajoutant encore à la tension, tant le contraste est fort entre ce qui lui arrive et ce qui se passe autour d'elle.
Tous les mecs de cette série sont des badass, on le sait, mais là franchement, on est au top du level ! Marc nous la joue John McClane, j'ai vraiment eu peur pour lui, et une scène en particulier m'a déchirée le coeur, sachant que c'est mon héros préféré de cette série, et un de mes héros préféré tout court, tous livres confondus.
La bromance Marc/Julian prend ici une dimension beaucoup plus grave et profonde, donnant lieu sur la fin à une scène infiniment touchante.
Il faut aussi savoir que Pamela Clare a emprunté à Kaylea Cross des personnages de sa série FBI Hostage Rescue Team et du coup, cela m'a donné envie de découvrir les histoires de ces hommes. Ils constituent une partie de l'équipe des forces de l'ordre dépêchées sur place pour neutraliser les terroristes.
Si les hommes et les femmes de cette série souffrent dans ce roman, et sont confrontés à des peurs et des moments terribles, on les voit aussi exprimer l'amitié, l'amour et le respect qu'ils ont les uns pour les autres. On assiste également à des scènes érotiques avec les différents couples, la dernière étant pour moi de trop, mais elle fait parfaitement sens avec les évènements de la soirée.
En bref, Pamela Clare a encore une fois frappé très fort avec ce roman, montrant une fois de plus son incroyable talent en matière de scènes d'action !
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
5.0
well there really are no words to express how great this story was. definitely not a conventional Christmas story but carries every moment of the greatness you'd expect from Pamela Clare
teresajluvs2read's review against another edition
5.0
****I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review****
When you combine the writing talents of Pamela Clare and Kaylea Cross you get a high octane, suspense filled, full of action from the first page to the very last. It was wonderful to be able to get updates on all of the characters from past I Team books as everyone is attending a big Winter Gala at the Palace hotel in downtown Denver for the newspaper and the rest of the team who are attending the British Consulate General's party. We find; Kat and Gabe who are expecting their third baby in a matter of weeks, Marc Hunter (DPD SWAT Commander) and Sophie, Reese who is the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and his wife Kara, who is now a freelance journalist. Then you have Madame Secretary Holmes, Nick and Holly, who knew she was a force to be reckoned with? All of the main characters plus a few others have gathered together without knowing that one of the staff has a very nasty attack planned to get his Uncle out of the nearby Supermax prison.
But the main surprise is the Jose "Pepe" Moreno quickly takes over the ballroom and both parties taking several folks hostage including all of the main characters but little does he know that Marc has managed to escape and soon has Denver police department SWAT team. He takes out a very dangerous Browning M2 machine gun on the room and seven of the bad guys on his own, while Pepe has a very nasty surprise in the basement.
The FBI Hostage Rescue Team, DeLuca, Tuck, Bauer, Evers, Vance, Blackwell, Cruz and Schroder, are called in and with the help of Tessa who knows of a secret entrance underground into the hotel. They are able to take out the men who are guarding the surprise. In the meantime, Kara goes into labor with her baby who is breech. With the help of both HRT and Denver SWAT everyone is rescued, a baby is born with the help of Schroder, and everyone is able to be rescued just before the midnight deadline. This is a non-stop thriller from beginning to the end. Hopefully, Ms. Clare and Ms. Cross may collaborate together again because this was fantastic!!
When you combine the writing talents of Pamela Clare and Kaylea Cross you get a high octane, suspense filled, full of action from the first page to the very last. It was wonderful to be able to get updates on all of the characters from past I Team books as everyone is attending a big Winter Gala at the Palace hotel in downtown Denver for the newspaper and the rest of the team who are attending the British Consulate General's party. We find; Kat and Gabe who are expecting their third baby in a matter of weeks, Marc Hunter (DPD SWAT Commander) and Sophie, Reese who is the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and his wife Kara, who is now a freelance journalist. Then you have Madame Secretary Holmes, Nick and Holly, who knew she was a force to be reckoned with? All of the main characters plus a few others have gathered together without knowing that one of the staff has a very nasty attack planned to get his Uncle out of the nearby Supermax prison.
But the main surprise is the Jose "Pepe" Moreno quickly takes over the ballroom and both parties taking several folks hostage including all of the main characters but little does he know that Marc has managed to escape and soon has Denver police department SWAT team. He takes out a very dangerous Browning M2 machine gun on the room and seven of the bad guys on his own, while Pepe has a very nasty surprise in the basement.
The FBI Hostage Rescue Team, DeLuca, Tuck, Bauer, Evers, Vance, Blackwell, Cruz and Schroder, are called in and with the help of Tessa who knows of a secret entrance underground into the hotel. They are able to take out the men who are guarding the surprise. In the meantime, Kara goes into labor with her baby who is breech. With the help of both HRT and Denver SWAT everyone is rescued, a baby is born with the help of Schroder, and everyone is able to be rescued just before the midnight deadline. This is a non-stop thriller from beginning to the end. Hopefully, Ms. Clare and Ms. Cross may collaborate together again because this was fantastic!!
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
5.0
5++++ stars.
As if I needed even more of a reason to love all the guys of the I-team series. Especially Marc, holy hell, I want that man.
Dead by Midnight is a delicious wrap up to the I-team series, for now, I think.
We got at least a little bit of everyone, the only couple that is in this the least is Laura and Javier. Laura because she's on the news and not physically there during the hostage crisis, and Javier, I can't remember why.
We got romance and suspense and thrills and chills. Loved this book.
Pamela Clare has written some of my most favorite books, how she writes characters and their interaction together is gold. And the suspense is always gripping and keeps me on the edge of my seat. The I-Team series is amazing and this book was a wonderful wrap up.
Now I just want to go back and reread them, especially Marc's.
As if I needed even more of a reason to love all the guys of the I-team series. Especially Marc, holy hell, I want that man.
Dead by Midnight is a delicious wrap up to the I-team series, for now, I think.
We got at least a little bit of everyone, the only couple that is in this the least is Laura and Javier. Laura because she's on the news and not physically there during the hostage crisis, and Javier, I can't remember why.
We got romance and suspense and thrills and chills. Loved this book.
Pamela Clare has written some of my most favorite books, how she writes characters and their interaction together is gold. And the suspense is always gripping and keeps me on the edge of my seat. The I-Team series is amazing and this book was a wonderful wrap up.
Now I just want to go back and reread them, especially Marc's.
summermusings's review against another edition
5.0
If you've read her I-Team series, this story is perfect in every way. You get to check in on all the I-Team regulars. The action is constantly moving forward and building up. I laughed and cried. You'll want to read it in one sitting. As a bonus, it was interesting to have characters from Kaylea Cross' Hostage Rescue Team series play a part in the story. Now I have to read that series :) It helps that the first book in the series, Marked, is currently free for Kindle.
vdarcangelo's review
5.0
http://ensuingchapters.com/2015/12/27/review-dead-by-midnight/
As 2015 comes to an end, so too does the best romantic suspense series in the genre. Beginning with 2005’s Extreme Exposure, and totaling seven full-length novels and five shorter works, Clare’s I-Team has earned a rabid following and produced numerous best-sellers.
The series comes to an end (for now) with the wonderful short novel Dead by Midnight.
For the finale, Clare brings together all of the previous I-Team characters, who have the misfortune of attending a holiday party at a hotel targeted for a political attack. Though the narco-terrorists claim to want nothing more than a hostage release, the I-Team learns that they intend to leave no survivors.
Working against the clock, and with an outside assist from the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (consisting of characters from the best-selling Kaylea Cross book series), the I-Team faces the realization that they might not survive to see another year.
First off, a disclosure: I do have a connection to this author and this series. Clare is the pen name of acclaimed journalist Pamela White, and she was my editor from 2003 – 2007 at the Boulder Weekly newspaper. Also, she named one of the I-Team characters (the hunkiest one, of course, Julian Darcangelo) after me, and a few years ago I was her guest at a romance writing convention.
Regardless of these connections, I loved this book. I devoured it in three sittings. Clare’s writing style is intense and engaging, and the characters so well-developed that you’re quickly invested in their stories, even if this is your first I-Team encounter (though I would recommend starting with books one, Extreme Exposure, and two, Hard Evidence).
Clare’s specialty is hot, edgy sex scenes, and she does not disappoint in Dead by Midnight. It begins with a sex scene, and the first stiff member appears in the opening paragraph. Classic Clare. The romance is paired with equally visceral scenes of violence and heroism. Clare is the rare author who can titillate, terrify and elicit cheers from her readers in a single chapter.
Her two-plus decades as a reporter lend authenticity to the I-Team series, which centers around a team of investigative journalists. Some of the darkest elements of her tales come directly from personal experience, and this brings verisimilitude to her narratives. She also incorporates insider details to flesh out her stories, including the financial struggles and political landmines of working in the industry, the personal risk of the profession and the emotional toll of publishing power dynamics.
My favorite parts concern the I-Team’s dirtbag editor and publisher, who bear striking resemblances to our former boss, as does, fittingly, the lead villain in Dead by Midnight (“The way to his heart wasn’t through sex or money, but his ego. That’s how it was with all narcissists”).
But even if you’ve never picked up a newspaper, let alone worked in a newsroom, you’ll enjoy Dead by Midnight. This short novel is the perfect holiday read. It’s got something for everyone, and for the I-Team faithful, it is both reunion and farewell.
But only for now, I hope. Further adventures will be on the wish list of all I-Team readers in the coming years.
For the time being, finish out 2015 with this delightful read, the culmination of a decade of thrilling twists and unforgettable trysts.
As 2015 comes to an end, so too does the best romantic suspense series in the genre. Beginning with 2005’s Extreme Exposure, and totaling seven full-length novels and five shorter works, Clare’s I-Team has earned a rabid following and produced numerous best-sellers.
The series comes to an end (for now) with the wonderful short novel Dead by Midnight.
For the finale, Clare brings together all of the previous I-Team characters, who have the misfortune of attending a holiday party at a hotel targeted for a political attack. Though the narco-terrorists claim to want nothing more than a hostage release, the I-Team learns that they intend to leave no survivors.
Working against the clock, and with an outside assist from the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (consisting of characters from the best-selling Kaylea Cross book series), the I-Team faces the realization that they might not survive to see another year.
First off, a disclosure: I do have a connection to this author and this series. Clare is the pen name of acclaimed journalist Pamela White, and she was my editor from 2003 – 2007 at the Boulder Weekly newspaper. Also, she named one of the I-Team characters (the hunkiest one, of course, Julian Darcangelo) after me, and a few years ago I was her guest at a romance writing convention.
Regardless of these connections, I loved this book. I devoured it in three sittings. Clare’s writing style is intense and engaging, and the characters so well-developed that you’re quickly invested in their stories, even if this is your first I-Team encounter (though I would recommend starting with books one, Extreme Exposure, and two, Hard Evidence).
Clare’s specialty is hot, edgy sex scenes, and she does not disappoint in Dead by Midnight. It begins with a sex scene, and the first stiff member appears in the opening paragraph. Classic Clare. The romance is paired with equally visceral scenes of violence and heroism. Clare is the rare author who can titillate, terrify and elicit cheers from her readers in a single chapter.
Her two-plus decades as a reporter lend authenticity to the I-Team series, which centers around a team of investigative journalists. Some of the darkest elements of her tales come directly from personal experience, and this brings verisimilitude to her narratives. She also incorporates insider details to flesh out her stories, including the financial struggles and political landmines of working in the industry, the personal risk of the profession and the emotional toll of publishing power dynamics.
My favorite parts concern the I-Team’s dirtbag editor and publisher, who bear striking resemblances to our former boss, as does, fittingly, the lead villain in Dead by Midnight (“The way to his heart wasn’t through sex or money, but his ego. That’s how it was with all narcissists”).
But even if you’ve never picked up a newspaper, let alone worked in a newsroom, you’ll enjoy Dead by Midnight. This short novel is the perfect holiday read. It’s got something for everyone, and for the I-Team faithful, it is both reunion and farewell.
But only for now, I hope. Further adventures will be on the wish list of all I-Team readers in the coming years.
For the time being, finish out 2015 with this delightful read, the culmination of a decade of thrilling twists and unforgettable trysts.
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
I am impressed at how entertaining this not so fun holiday party of the I-team turned out to be.
It started off fancy, a Christmas party at a hotel and quickly turned into most of the team being held as hostages.
The story was action packed, typical teamwork, loyalty and support. And of course you can't have a Pamela Clare novel without a good number of sex scenes. It was well written and Kaleo Griffith did a great job as the narrator.
I still don't buy Holly as this kick ass operative after 6 books of being a ditzy airhead, but the author is clearly trying to sell it. I can accept that she is resourceful, not as super spy Nikita.
The main difference with this novel was it wasn't built around an undercover assignment necessary for the paper. I liked it eve more than the last couple of books. A great addition to this series.
anabelsbrother's review against another edition
5.0
I rarely give novellas a 5 on account of them being so short but this one deserves it. I'm so happy to be reunited with all the characters, despite them being under unpleasant circumstances. The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and it has a LOT of nail-biting moments. I cried a lot too at the last 20%? 10%? because INTENSE OKAY I AM TOO FRAGILE FOR THIS TYPE OF TENSION
So grateful to Jae for pushing me to read these books. It's definitely in my ultimate fav romance series list.
Reread: July 2017
I MISS THIS WORLD SO MUCH I'M CRYING-
Reread: Nov 2017
Jae gifted me the signed paperback for my birthday I love her so much.
I LOVE THIS WORLD AND CHARACTERS SO MUCH
So grateful to Jae for pushing me to read these books. It's definitely in my ultimate fav romance series list.
Reread: July 2017
I MISS THIS WORLD SO MUCH I'M CRYING-
Reread: Nov 2017
Jae gifted me the signed paperback for my birthday I love her so much.
I LOVE THIS WORLD AND CHARACTERS SO MUCH
valeehill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kimberlycarrington's review against another edition
4.0
Una fusión perfecta entre los maromazos del I-Team y La jungla de cristal (ver a Marc Hunter en plan John McClane es demasiado para mi cuerpecito, grrrrrrrrr).
Esta novela es un regalo para los lectores de la serie, donde puedes ver a todas las parejas hasta la fecha en plan guarreril y en plan badass. Me reafirmo en mi amor supremo por Hunt, mi maromo favorito de la serie
Esta novela es un regalo para los lectores de la serie, donde puedes ver a todas las parejas hasta la fecha en plan guarreril y en plan badass. Me reafirmo en mi amor supremo por Hunt, mi maromo favorito de la serie