Area of Influence (Immortal Ops, #8)

I love that Lance finally got his book. Love the brotherhood in this book and the emotions when the guys were reunited

By and1515
He was cracking up…

That name seemed to be stuck in his head on repeat he wanted to scream in frustration.
He spend most of his time wondering if he was losing his grip on reality slipping down the happy trail to La La land.
His master called him his mighty weapon and he jumped when ordered but he did have a small part of him that made him think for a split second.
No he needed to keep up a certain image he never wanted to reveal his cracks.
Nola had un certain quelque chose
(a certain something) and energy that zoomed throughout the city.
And wow the people from all different walks of life who tended to flock to that wonderful old city for this or that reason.
But also there were those who had chosen to stay instead of moving on.
Emi knew one thing she was far safer where she was the outside world had been less kind to her no she would stay and deal with what ever came her way.
His master had sent him to New Orleans with specific instructions while he could honestly see the visual appeal to the place however the smells were another matter and quite frankly his wish he couldn’t smell at all.
Emi wasn’t sure why he drew her attention at first but now that he had… The dude was clearly a walking piece of art all manly looking but there also was a weird feeling to him.
That woman was one hundred percent really he hadn’t imagined her at all… And a stranger thought took over and when both his supernatural sides were even in agreement with him.
When several street thugs started harassing her; his body took over and his mind followed.
But the moment she touched him he seemed to calm down and then she was talking to him; well about him; he was transfixed on her words until she said that name.
The spirits were all talking saying the same thing and when Lance pointed out there was something wicked come there way.
Deep down he knew the truth about himself and the fact he needed to protect her with his.
However when his past and present collide as he’s surrounded by those he should have known all along.
Lance had been in a hurry to save his Emi from the walking freaks but the kerfuffle that followed was totally undeniably cheesy and outrageously funny that he seriously couldn’t understand why Emi was trying to save that thing she named…
Lance was having a hard time dealing with his sidekicks because they all were pushing him to mark her as theirs and yeah that worked out so well for him in the end.
Unfortunately things don’t stay peaceful or quiet for long when an evil insane being tries to take the one person who matters the most to him.

Area of Influence is the eighth title in the Immortal Ops series, a part of the connecting Immortal Ops World that I have been anticipating for most of these stories. Why? Because there has been a long and slowly revealed thread of an Immortal Ops operative, Lance, who was killed in action. His “brothers”, his team-mates and friends buried him and mourned his loss in many individual ways. Some with pain, others with guilt believing if they had “only” done whatever Lance would still be alive. His death sent many of his friends, some already teetering on the edge spiraling into depression and actions they normally would never have taken. In many ways, Lance’s death broke this team.

Yet.

Throughout several stories, we’ve come in contact with an enemy player, Thor. A strong presence, a being who always seemed to be just a little bit off from the average bad guy. A man who would look the other way when those who have been imprisoned escaped. A man who would step in to distract or engage another enemy to protect the women of the Immortal Ops teams. A man who obviously is divided, friend or foe isn’t known for certain… even to Thor. Each encounter with Thor we learned a little bit more – and soon, those readers who have followed these series began to “know” exactly who Thor was, even when he still didn’t.

In Area of Influence, Thor will finally take the final step to break free of the master vampire who created him, bound him, and used him for evil purposes. Part of that freedom, that action of pieces of a puzzle finally falling into place is when Thor catches the scent of his mate while on assignment for this evil master vampire who is beginning to suspect Thor isn’t as loyal as some would believe.

Emi has secrets of her own. Always on the run, never settling anywhere for long, she’s made the choice to stay in New Orleans for longer than she should have… and she’s about to pay the price for that as an enemy who has stalked her for years finally has her in his sights. Emi sees and talks to dead people, but that isn’t her only ability as she will soon learn. Emi can learn a lot about someone with a simple touch… something that will soon change lives.

On an evening, much like any other, Emi and Thor will cross paths… but Thor is not the name that is flowing through her mind when they touch. Lance is who he is, and while Emi doesn’t understand why he doesn’t know that there is little time for questions as the enemy comes at them fast and furiously.

I’m usually very careful to skirt around spoilers – but I find that I cannot really tell you about the impact this story had on me without divulging some of the events that have already happened. This review will end up being my exception to my own rule, I believe.

While Thor is in New Orleans on a mission from his maker – so also are several members of the “Fang Gang” of the Crimson Ops division. When these worlds collide – good vs evil – the final pieces will drop into place as Thor disappears and Lance re-emerges from the dead so to speak, different but alive and ready to kick some serious butt.

There are so many precious moments in Area of Influence. From compassion shown to an enemy who has no control over what has been made of them – to mates finding each other at long last – to a friend seemingly lost forever coming back to life again. I feel bad for Emi because while she is an amazing heroine, she kind of takes a side seat to the return of Lance. I think some of the most amazingly, emotional scenes I’ve read in these series so far has to be when friends back at headquarters finally see and man-hug Lance once again. The past pain and the current joy just radiates through the pages.

I’m not ashamed to admit that there were tears in the final chapter. For a story well told – for love found – and for friends reunited in the best possible way.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

It’s so great that Lance is finally back with the team. The things he’s had to do and the way he was able to get around his orders just goes to show how strong he really was. The fact the guys knew who he was and made sure not to kill him while trying to get him back, yah, that was good too. Sweet story and I hope we get to see more of Emi and the rest of the mates soon.