Stephanie Tyler

Note to Contemporary Authors: LEARN BASIC GRAMMAR. That's how one writes comprehensible sentences that allow your readers to understand what they're reading. It looks like Tyler was trying to emulate Nora Roberts's inability to write intelligible sentences, but she does it with none of the charm. For example, "'It wasn’t the kiss,' she said, hated the way her face flushed."

"'Markham, you’re safe. We’re with the U.S. Navy, and we’re going to get you out of here,' he said, placed his show more hand lightly on her shoulder.

Jake nodded, managed to do all right while the doctor had the stethoscope against his chest.

"'I’m all right. I’m still with Jake. But Uncle Cal’s missing,' she said, heard the sharp intake of breath come across the line."

"She pushed him against the wall while her mouth took his, let her hold his wrists for a few seconds, until he broke free from her grip and put his arms around her." These are just a scant few examples of the grammar fail throughout the book. At least when Roberts does it I'm reading a well written story otherwise.

Overall, the story didn't make sense. And not just because of crazy nonsense like Jake forging papers and enlisting in the Navy at fifteen, and was then sent into SEAL training right out of Bootcamp. Or that two of the characters are supposedly psychic. It was mostly because Tyler attempted to dole out a little bit of information on several different storylines over time, but the information we were given didn't make sense when it was all put together later on (the worst being the build up to the reveal of Jake's big, secret night of horror – and in the end it didn't deliver on any of what was said throughout the book). There were too many flashbacks and sometimes the only way you could tell you were going into or coming out of a flashback was the italics, there was no other transitioning. It all felt and read like it was incomplete. The timeline seemed all over the place (this was primarily the story of Jake as a teenager, from when he was left parentless, to being theoretically adopted by this family, to enlisting in the Navy – for which he forged papers but then somehow needed his dad to sign papers? Though he actually had no legal guardian at the time – it didn't track. Did an editor even read this?). It was like Tyler couldn't make up her mind about exactly what story she was going to go with or about who these characters were, and that came through because all of the characters appeared to be confused about their feelings, beliefs and motivations. And it never became clear. It was all a spectacular failure of mystery, suspense and characterization.

On top of that, nearly half the book was taken up with the story of these minor peripheral characters, Sarah and Clutch. They really only partially intersected with the main story at all. Their in-depth back stories and love story were completely irrelevant to the book and to the endgame. I started skimming quickly over these sections looking for anything of relevance to the story – there was very little. Meanwhile, we were only given half-ass information on Nick and Chris, obviously because we're going to get their full stories in their installments of the trilogy, but it made for half-ass storytelling.

Finally, the climax was lame. It was all way too easy, and even though everything was supposed to have been revealed/come together at this point it was so stilted and jumped around so manically it was difficult to get the full picture. Some authors can write in a way to leave intrigue, or only give partial information for a later reveal – Tyler is not one of them. show less

Original review--March 12, 2014:

This was just the type of book I needed. Recently, I've gotten bored of the same old type of story, so this brutal world of spies and revenge, which was portrayed so well by SE Jakes, was the perfect puzzle piece to fit my mood. It jumps right into the action, and slowly lets trickles of the back history connecting the characters into the narrative, revealing some things that I did not expect. It is a very quick read that does so well to immerse you in their show more world and personalities, where you understand their motivations and really can't begrudge their lifestyles--including the promiscuity, the murdering, the manipulation, and all else.

I liked both Cillian and Mal, how they have so many faces, but are much deeper and convoluted (and maybe somewhat good) people than you might think in the beginning. Now that the cards are on the table (oh, it has such a great ending, closing with a bang), I am waiting with bated breath for the sequel. Five stars, because this is a book that will draw you in, immerse you in many emotions and excitement, and leave you thirsting for the next part. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Update--September 29, 2014:

I really want to reread this asap! I just finished Long Time Gone and now I actually get all of the connections I missed while reading this nine months ago. I've been thinking about this book a lot (I actually like it more than Proph and Tom's story) and I cannot f*cking wait to read more. I'm also adding this to my "favorites" shelf. I want, I need, I crave more! show less

I don't know how else to describe the story but as hot and intense. There's no easing into anything, it's full throttle from the get go, and it doesn't ever ease, not even after the final full stop.

I was very curious about Mal from when I shortly met him in the Hell or High Water books, and I really needed Cillian to stop flirting with Proph, so this sounded perfect. And it was. The secrets, the suspense, and the sex made it impossible to put down.

The ending... WHY?! I feel like I just got a show more slap on the wrists and was told to go stand in the corner with my back to the room. Jakes is a cruel woman for ending it like that when the next book isn't released until next year.

Simply, loved it. Need more. Need Mal and Cillian in the same room now that Cillian too knows who Mal is, and he knows what he did to him. I bet they're more explosive than Tommy and Proph because they kinda already were. That's some seriously hot IMing. show less

4.5 stars rounded up, because it was so well written that there was so much emotion and so much backstory that is slowly revealed over the course of the entire book, so that what you think (and Sean thinks) is happening, really is only part of a bigger picture and many lies. It was a bit too much; sometimes I was a bit confused momentarily, and it got a bit nonsensical with the Sean and Ryker yo-yoing in and out of their relationship and fights, but overall it was beautiful.

Ryder was also show more one of the better alpha male characters I've had the pleasure to read of. I often get pissed off at the submissive partner for allowing the more dominant one to walk all over them, even when they don't want it--which just ruins a book for me--but here I really got Sean and Ryker's dynamic and how they fit Sean's stubbornness and issues with Ryker's control and care.

The sex was as hot and inflammatory as a forrest fire, and I never got bored of the many sex scenes. Brava!

I liked the illegal aspects, the MC aspect--from Sean's childhood fascination with Havoc to Ryker's involvement, and the variety of colorful characters.

I will definitely continue this series. And Jakes' "Hell or High Water" series, too! show less