They are part of an elite unit. On task. Off grid. These are the men of the Shadow Ops task force. Be seduced and thrilled by Close to the Edge, the next Unbroken Heroes novel by Dawn Ryder. HOW FAR WILL ONE MAN GO Jenna Henson always plays it safe. It’s what has gotten her through all these years . So she never expected to end up in arm-to-arm combat with a gorgeous, muscle bound mercenary … combat with a gorgeous, muscle bound mercenary named Dare…
Agent Dare Servant lives for the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline high. He’s fully committed to his job, fully armed, and full-on dangerous. But when innocent, irresistible Jenna Henson walks in on his latest mission, the need to keep her safe becomes all-consuming.
TO PROTECT THE WOMAN HE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Jenna’s captured the attention of Dare’s deadliest enemies, and with a target on her back, she needs Dare’s protection. But being Jenna’s bodyguard might be his hardest challenge yet. How can he keep her safe when he longs to take her in his arms and never let her go?
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This is part of the Unbroken Heroes series and a new author for me. Figured out where the first of the book was and settled in for suspenseful read. Interesting characters and fast-paced storyline make this a book to enjoy.
E-book from net galley and publishers with thanks.Opinions are entirely my own.
This was okay nothing special. There were times when the author kept having the characters say stuff like was that vulgar well yeah but it’s fine and really it got very annoying because it was said so much and really for no reason. I did like Jenna. I could take or leave Dare. This book continues from the previous ones, you can read this as a stand alone but I recommend reading the others first for background story.
*Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest opinion*
CLOSE TO THE EDGE is the fifth instalment in Dawn Ryder’s contemporary, adult UNBROKEN HEROES romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for an elite Special Ops Team made up of ex-SEALs and other special forces warriors. This is Agent Dare Servant, and combustion expert for the space program, Jenna Henson’s story line. CLOSE TO THE EDGE should not be read as a stand alone; I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an on-going premise throughout the series.
Told from several third person perspectives including Dare and Jenna, CLOSE TO THE EDGE follows the building relationship between Special Agent Dare Servant, and combustion expert Jenna Henson. Trying to help her neighbor’s out of a bind Jenna Henson offers to help cater a party at pop-music sensation Kirkland Grog’s mansion only to find herself detained and in custody by a covert government Special Ops Team. Enter Agent Dare Servant, the man with whom Jenna will fall in love. What ensues is the tempestuous relationship between Dare and Jenna, and the potential fall-out as our leading couple have been targeted by the leaders of a human trafficking ring; and the man vying to be the office of president of the United States.
Jenna was only trying to help out her friends Sam and Paul whose ‘Joyful Occasions’ was hired to cater the pop-star’s high end party, only to find herself in witness protection, on the run, with no place to go. Falling in love with her captor aka handler was never her intention but too many mixed signals from Agent Dare Servant found our heroine unable to trust the man with whom she was about to spend a good amount of time.
The relationship between Dare and Jenna begins acrimoniously. Dare must take Jenna into custody unaware of what she knows or how she came to be at a suspect’s party. Dare doesn’t do relationships because of the demands of the job but something about Jenna calls to his heart. Jenna knows that to fall in love with Dare means losing her heart to a man who claims he doesn’t’ have time for love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including, Scottish Agent Greer McRae; Team leader Kagan; agents Thais Sinclair and Zane Bowan: Colonel Bryan Magnus, Vitus Hale and his wife Damascus Ryland, as well as Damscus’ mother Miranda Delacroix. The requisite evil has many faces with close connections to Washington DC including Kirkland Grog, Mack, and Carl Davis, who has plans to dismantle the Special Ops Team.
Once again, similar to the previous story lines, the back and forth between numerous points of view is manic; the whip-lash affect may be too erratic for some readers as the story line relentlessly jumps between characters without so much as a break or introduction. It can be confusing and unsettling from paragraph to paragraph, several times throughout each each chapter, such that the reader may have to re-read the previous passages to follow the jump in perspectives.
CLOSE TO THE EDGE is a fast paced, action packed story of suspense and intrigue. The premise is engaging and complex; the characters are colorful, charismatic and dynamic ; the romance is edgy, provocative and intense. If you can get past the constant change in perspectives, I know you will enjoy the latest instalment in the author’s UNBROKEN HEROES.
Jenna loves to blow stuff up. She works for a company that makes explosives but she only works when there is a contract. Dare is in the Special Ops hat really doesn’t exist. They are bugging a human traffickers house and Jenna walks in. They take her and put a tracker in her, then lets her go. They are waiting for the bad guy to come after her. There are so people in on the human trafficking that is very high up in the government and they’ll do anything to keep the money coming in for their campaign. Someone has tipped off Kirkland, the trafficker, to where the team and Jenna is and they separate. Jenna is given money, diamonds, and new identity and relocated. Dare thinks she’s in with Kirkland and uses her then arrests her. For the first time Dare is not all about the job only but Jenna too. Something he swore would never happen.
I’ll be honest this was the most confusing story I have ever read. I’m hoping once it’s released everything will be fixed. Chapter one was at the end, you never knew when the one character is talking to the next because it all runs together. The sex was hot and the storyline was fair. I know it was an uncorrected edition, that’s why I’m hoping the print version will be better. Will probably buy it when it comes out so I can reread it and hopefully make more sense out of it.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
This one was full of twists and turns and lots of confusion if you had not read the rest of the series, or at least I’m thinking that may be the problem with me since I am getting in on this one on book 5. This was a fast paced story with Dare, who is a Special-Op mercenary, and Jenna, a combustion specialist. For some reason she has been implanted with a chip and so when she is kidnapped she is able to be tracked and Dare is able to find her and protect her when she is in danger. Twists and turns and chemistry between Dare and Jenna keep this going but I was confused a lot of the time. It was worth the read though.
The newest Unbroken Hero novel is a rollercoaster ride of danger and emotional turbulence that holds readers in its grip from start to finish.
The hero and heroine of this book draw readers in and refuse to let go as they work through a relationship that highly impacted by some emotional turbulence that has readers emphasizing with the characters and determined to find out if they can ever work things out enough to discover that they just might have what it takes to have a happily ever after type of romance. Alpha male dominance clashes with fiery female passion with strong, sexy and sizzling attraction mixing things up for this couple which really has sparks flying in every direction.
Suspense builds throughout the steady to fast paced plot full of danger and thrills as Dare tries to keep his client alive even though she fights him every step of the way. Lots of twists and turns keep readers glued to the pages as bad guys and bosses slip unexpected surprises in the couple’s path which makes things very interesting as readers have to wonder what will happen next.
I was quite taken with Dare from the very first, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book. I have read the other Unbroken Hero novels though and I knew that Dawn Ryder wouldn’t disappoint me and sure enough, after I got past the first couple of chapters, I was totally captivated by the story, I still don’t know what happened at first that was keeping from getting in to the story so I hope no one else has this problem but if you do be sure and keep trying because this book will take you Close To The Edge and have you wanting more.
Close to the Edge by Dawn Ryder
Unbroken Heroes #5
Another unbroken Hero meets the woman that will change his life when Dare Servant, setting up hidden surveillance, runs into Jenna on her way to help her friends out. After she has been debriefed and warned she is released only to find herself picked her up again by Dare. She ends up in hot water a few times, is saved a few times, she has to run for her life and is given a place to hide…for a bit… Her life is very very busy as the dark ops team tries to pin the bad guys down and put them away. Action-packed and at times dark but in the end all is okay for the hero and heroine of this book
The romance between Dare and Jenna and some of the action in the story seems a bit farfetched but it did make for an interesting story. I will say that I am more interested in Thais, Kagan, Dunn, Greer and some of the other characters who appeared in this book than I was in this couple’s story. There was a hint at Dare perhaps being a shifter when his mother hid him to keep him safe and and said to him, “Don’t make a sound my little cub…you must grow up…become a bear…before you can right the wrongs of this night…” but there was no other mention of his being shifter except perhaps man-animal odors and his size that was enormous being mentioned.
One bad guy is in jail by the end of the story and another is probably being set up for something or other that will transpire in the future. Dare and Jenna eventually find a HEA together and the story is prepared to take off again in book six when it is ready to be published.
Knowing this was an ARC I still had trouble getting into the book. I noticed more than one person who left a review mentioned being “lost” and so was I for a bit…quite a bit. Then, when I finished the book I realized the first chapter of the book for some reason was at the end and the ARC began with chapter two. Reading the first chapter first would definitely have helped the book to flow more easily 😉 That said, I still managed to read and understand and figure the story out.
Did I enjoy the story? Yes
Was it totally believable? No
Do I want to read the next book in the series? Yes
Do I recommend the book? Yes, but do think having read previous books in the series would be helpful.
Thank you to NetGalley and ST. Martin’s Press for the ARC – this is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Wow, AWESOME, Best book of the series! I loved it!
Dare Servant is never getting entangled in a relationship. There is no option with his past and being a Shadow Ops agent. His job is too dangerous and he can’t afford any weakness or distraction. He has to bring those bad guys down. Currently he’s working on Kirkland Grog, a “Hip-Hop Star” who is really an underworld crime boss running human trafficking and prostitution channeling some of his profits to support Carl Davis who’s about to win the presidential election in a few months. The long running thread in this series that Carl will close down Shadow Ops when he’s President. They know too much about his dirty deeds!
Enter Jenna Henson, a rocket explosives specialist who helps out her bestie Sam, and his husband Paul, who run Joyful Occasions Catering. She loves to cook and helps out when he’s in a bind. It’s a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time when she catches Dare & his team bugging Kirkland’s houseparty. She ends up being taken by the team for her protection and to find out what info she may have on Kirkland. The adventure begins.
This story had so many twists and turns I loved it. There is a large cast of characters, but no one who is introduced in the beginning as unimportant pops up as a key figure at the end of the book. A real pet peeve of mine and one of the reasons I read digital-love the search function. Characters from previous books come back and play rolls, which I love. Poor Dare is just so impressed with the smart, brave and gutsy Jenna he can’t help developing feelings for her. We do get a nice HEA. Dawn even kind set up the next book, which I love as well.
Very well done. Thanks to Dawn and her publisher St. Martin’s Press for the NetGalley for an honest review.
Agent Dare Servant can’t fathom the thought of him signing up to do the happily ever afters like his fellow team members, being a family man, and going home to one woman at night just doesn’t sound like his kind of thing. But… maybe it’s because he just hasn’t met the right woman yet, the one who makes him want those things for himself too… maybe he’s about too!
Dare and his team are determined to catch Kirkland Grog, and pin him for human trafficking, their figuring he is bound to stumble at some point, and when he does they will nab him.When they learn that there is an unassuming caterer that has landed herself in hot water by witnessing something that wasn’t meant for her eyes and ears, and it involves Grog, they know they need to protect her, even if she might be involved somehow. The moment Dare meets her he is taken with her, but dang if she doesn’t irritate the heck out of him, the woman likes to push his buttons… and get his heart pumping!
Close to the Edge is an action packed tale that is certain to be a hit with romantic suspense readers, it has the suspense and action they crave, the steamy romance to curl their toes, and two characters that are sure to steal their hearts! I thoroughly enjoyed this newest offering in the Unbroken Heroes series, it grabbed my attention from the first page, and had me anxiously flying through the pages in search of answers, and a happily ever after… and I am happy to report I found that and a lot more! Highly recommend this one, it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through!
Requested an advanced copy from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
Contrary to one other book in this series that I have read and was totally confused with all the character references from previous stories, this one is truly a stand alone.
The members of Shadow Ops are complex characters with the sole goal of keeping the country safe, and ridding it of corruption. By doing so, the members really have no personal life.
The main character in this story Shadow Ops operative Dare Servant, a man whose past has molded his present. The group is charged with investigating and bugging the home of a man that is involved in human trafficking. Jenna, a rocket scientist who as a favor to a dear friend is catering a party at the same house, gets caught in the crossfire of the investigation and is put in danger when the bad guys fear she can identify them.
It’s a story filled with intrigue, bad guys, black ops operatives, a strong alpha character and a female that is spunky and challenges him in every way possible.
And of course a hot romance. Lots of gray areas as well in righting the wrong.
My only objection is that the scenes changed quickly and I had to take a moment to adjust to the change. Could be that I had an ARC copy and the final editing had not been completely.
All that said, I am ready to read the next book in this series.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I’ve not read all the books in this series but I didn’t prevent me from finding myself at home in this world!
Jenna’s life came crashing to a halt when she saw something she wasn’t supposed to. She was only supposed to be a substitute Chef for a superstars party. Now she is monitored 24/7 by some super secret agents. Including the incredibly handsome but downright arrogant Dare.
Dare would do just about anything to get Kirkland Grog on the line for human trafficking. He’s still not sure that Jenna is not somehow involved but that doesn’t stop him lusting after her and interfering with her life!
There was a great sense of suspense throughout the book although I was a bit lost as to why Kirkland would go after Jenna as he hadn’t been home when she was there. I’m assuming that maybe some henchman or other told him! Other than that wee slip up I highly enjoyed this book.
Disconnect the brain and go along for the ride! Great story and characters and even though Dare jumps to some almighty assumptions, I still kind of rooted for him! He knows his job is dangerous enough without putting another target out there that could be used to get to him. Jenna for her part just wants her life back. I’m hoping she somehow manages to set Sam and Paul back!
Close to the Edge by Dawn Ryder was an action packed romantic suspense that intrigued me but also left me confused. Since I had not read any of the previous books in this series, I felt like I was missing something since I couldn’t relate to many of the secondary characters in this story. Nor did I understand why Jenna had been chipped and was in protective custody.
Dare and Jenna were both strong characters and Jenna grew by leaps and bounds as this story progressed. Dare set my teeth on edge at first but I did warm up to him as the story unfolded. The sparks flying between Dare and Jenna were palpable; but I confess that I wasn’t convinced that Dare could actually give up his life with his Ops team. The story was quickly paced but didn’t flow smoothly as there were several threads concerning Kirkland and Davis that were intertwined in this story from the previous books. There was also a mini-cliffhanger at the end which I am sure sets up the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martin’s Paperbacks via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
**I received a copy of Close to the Edge from St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
Close to the Edge by Dawn Ryder is the fourth book in her Shadow Ops series. This time we have Dare Servant and Jenna’s story. The book deals with human trafficking which is all over the world now.
Jenna has seen too much one night when a cargo container full of girls and women who are destined to be used as sex slaves and prostitution. But Dare comes to the rescue but narrowly missing the person behind the importing of women, Kirkland, who masquerades as a hip hop singer. Can she convince Dare that she isn’t part of the group or will she end up in jail for something that she knows nothing about.
Dare Savant is tasked with keeping Jenna safe after she ends up seeing something she shouldn’t. But even though he tries to keep his feelings away from Jenna its a losing battle. There is a man running for president and a rock/hip hop singer who are in involved with the trafficking ring that is the focal point of the book. So you have high profile players who think that they can get away with their little side business but Dare isn’t going to let them just get away with this.
But its the lack of zing between Jenna and Dare until around the 70-75% makes the book a bit slow to get going consequently I give the book a 3.8 star rating