Desperate to ditch her ex once and for all, when Aspen Mesmer asks a complete stranger to kiss her, she never expects to feel an immediate connection. Despite already dealing with one soldier she can’t shake, Aspen would be a fool to ignore the intense chemistry she shares with the Delta Force operative. Even better, he shows her the respect few others offer in her male-dominated profession. It’s … It’s clear she’ll never have the camaraderie she craves with her own platoon, but maybe…just maybe…she’ll find it with Kane and his team.
Kane “Brain” Temple isn’t the kind of man most women look at twice, so when Aspen makes her interest clear after their impulsive, explosive kiss, he’s thrilled. As a combat medic attached to a Ranger team, Aspen is pretty impressive in her own right. She might be one of the few women who can not only handle Brain’s frequent deployments, but understand exactly how dangerous his missions can be. Bonus: she’s not turned off by his nerdy tendencies. It’s as if Aspen was made just for him.
Her ex disagrees. He’s not handling Aspen’s rejection well, or her deepening relationship with Brain. Being thrown over for a Delta is humiliating, and he’ll do anything to make her regret it.
Anything…
** Shielding Aspen is the 3rd book in the Delta Team Two Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
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New release from Susan Stoker!
These 2 are just perfect for each other. Loved how Brain let Aspen be the kick as girl she is and that it didn’t bother her. Love how Susan snuck Annie in this book as well.
Cannot wait for Oz and Riley but I really cannot wait for Sierra and Grover
Oh, wow. Didn’t see this one coming. Brain and Aspen just hit it off. And since Brain is almost adorable in his geeky, nerdy kind of way, Aspen fortunately has no problem with him being who he is. The brain. She’s more concerned about her ex, who just won’t get it… A very nice story that also gets an impression your way, what might just be happening in Sierras book, that you unfortunately have a long time to wait for before release-date… Loved this one. Not only for another insight in the strong bond within the Deltas but Aspens fight to overcome ancient standards and to belong in her own team, which sadly, never really happens
Okay. I did it. Finished reading Shielding Aspen in under 24 hours. Now for my review. A close friend of mine recently reviewed this book also and likened the book to the Pumpkin Spice flavoring for coffees. I thought that was brilliant, cause hello it’s Fall, and who doesn’t like Pumpkin Spice?? Isn’t that all what we wait and long for when Fall comes along? The anticipation of that first sip? Now, I’m not gonna steal this theme for my review, per se but I am gonna parallel my thoughts to this. For me, the anticipation is not only the availability of Pumpkin Spice everything but it’s that Fall is FINALLY here. Cooler weather, changing leaves, and knowing that the holidays are just around the corner.
With Shielding Aspen, the third book in this Delta Team Two series, Fall has finally arrived (the book) and I am enjoying all the nuances that come with the season. Kane “Brain” Temple is the cooler weather. He may not see himself like he sees his teammates, the cool collected Delta operator but that’s okay. Cause he’s chill and laid back. You know, “the quiet” one. And then there’s Aspen, isn’t her name fitting? To me, she’s like the changing color of the leaves that happen during the season. Going from the fully green of summer and changing into the bareness of winter. Getting ready to weather any storm that’s on the horizon. Both of these characters are true Susan Stoker alpha and heroine. With realistic personalities and insecurities that make them believable and interesting.
The great thing about all of Susan Stoker’s books is her ability to integrate everyday issues and situations into her books. That combined with a great story makes each book both enjoyable and deadly, lol. That may seem like an odd combination but believe me, by the time you are nearing the end of the book you are just waiting for Ms. Stoker to put in the teaser that’s going to blow you out of the water and dread the wait for the next book! DEADLY. And with this book, Ms. Stoker doesn’t give you one or two but THREE teasers that will have you scrambling to see her book list and when these books are going to be released. But I digress. Let’s get back to Fall.
So like every season, you have your good days (the ones where the weather’s perfect, not too hot and you can SMELL Fall in the air) and your bad days (those Indian summer days where you’re asking yourself as you look at the date HOW can it be this hot?) and Ms. Stoker puts you on the emotional rollercoaster with Brain and Aspen’s story. The development of their relationship is sweet and touching. The interaction between Aspen and the Delta Team is poignant and uplifting. The angst is big and upsetting at times (at least from my POV) but so satisfying when resolved. Like I said, good days and bad days. But overall, the fuzzy feeling from being able to wrap up in a blanket while watching the leaves change color and fall lazily to the ground while sipping my PSL is the reason Fall is my favorite season. And the reason why Susan Stoker is one of my favorite authors (okay probably THE favorite but again I digress). With only the ability to rate this book 5 stars, I will end my review by saying there may be only 5 but they are the BRIGHTEST STARS IN THE SKY!
Every time I think I can’t love a Susan Stoker book more, she outdoes herself! Aspen is a combat medic attached to a Army Ranger team- so she is smart, tough, strong, and amazing. Kane, known as Brain, is part of Delta Team Two, and is amazingly smart, can speak loads of languages, and considers himself a nerd. The way they meet cracked me up, and the way Susan writes their story brought me through such emotional wave, sadness, anger, happiness, and laughter. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I absolutely would!!
She’s done it again. Susan Stoker has written another compelling story. Can the men of Delta Team 2 be any sweeter and swoon worthy? Brain is an excellent example. They way he meets Aspen and how quickly he realizes she could be exactly what he’d been looking for is just the beginning of what makes this story so compelling. It is appalling how women are sometimes treated in the military. But Brain and his team set an excellent example on how women should be treated. They stand beside Aspen. Supporting her and deferring to her expertise. If only all men could read Susan Stoker’s book to learn from her characters about how a good man should act. Congratulations on another excellent novel. Truly looking forward to the next books in the series which we are left with a tiny taste of at the end of Shielding Aspen.
Loved it
Shielding Aspen is the next story for our Delta Team and is absolutely jam packed with romance, action and suspense
Brain meets Aspen at their local haunt when she approaches him to kiss her – to throw a man who refuses to accept no off the scent This, however, develops into something more and before they know it Brain and Aspen are a couple but separated because of her Army status and trouble overseas
I really enjoyed this story because of how uplifting it is towards women but also the way in which the Delta teams show their respect towards womenA not to be missed story and series and I can’t wait to find out more about Oz, Jayme and Sierra – as for all intents and purposes, Susan has hinted at heaps on the horizon and I for one just can’t wait
Another awesome story by Susan Stoker. I loved this storyline from the beginning.
While trying to disconnect from an Army Ranger Aspen went out with a few times he confronts her in the bar. She tries to tell him they are over, but he just doesn’t get the message. She then sees Brain walk into the bar and goes right up to him and plants a passionate kiss on this lips hoping this will discourage the other guy.
Brain is taken a back for just a minute and then just leans in and deepens the kiss.
This storyline shows Aspen as a strong competent woman trying to work within the ranks of Army Rangers that do not think she belongs. But she doesn’t give up even through the worst of times.
It also shows a side of a Brain as a Delta Force Operator that is all alpha except when it comes to women. It takes him some time to realize that Aspen likes him for who he is, quirks and all.
I don’t want to give to much way, but make sure to read this one.
Great story, loved it.
This story has got to be one of my mostest ever favorites by this author!
This is Brain and Aspens story, and it honestly grips you and pulls you in from the first word on the first page! I couldn’t get enough of this story, and then BAM!! It was over, and the lead into the next stories in this series, OMG!!!
This book is freaking awesome and you WILL NOT be sorry if you get it!!
It really is THAT GOOD!!!
Another hit. A Delta gets a strange introduction at the local bar. Aspen has an ex that has a thing about women in the military especially when they are in combat type units. Aspen is a combat medic that is assigned to a Ranger unit, her ex is the platoon leader of a sister platoon. He has made her life miserable so she wants him to leave her alone and in walks Brain/Kane who she walks up to and says kiss me. There is a spark when Aspen and Kane meet and it leads to an introduction to the Delta Team. After introductions and explanations for names our cast of characters then get involved in training and deployments as well as humanitarian efforts. And Annie makes a guest appearance.
Such craziness. Loved the story. you really get a feel for the hardships women face in the military. Yes physically women are smaller and weaker than men but that doesn’t mean they can’t do the same things. Aspen proved that with her kick ass skills as not only a medic but as basically a ranger. She didn’t have to complete most of those trainings but suffered through them with her crappy team because she knew it was necessary and essential to her training and to help her teammates. Loved Kane or ‘brain’. He was the quintessential smarty with a soldier bod. Loved they together. They are awesome.
Wow plot twist and poor Sierra. But I saw it coming. Similar to the rescuing kaylee book in the last series. Sucks we have to wait until the end to find out what happens to her and probably glovers story.
Wow on the plot twist with Oz. Just wow. That’s a wrench in the works.
OMG!! loved Aspen. As a chick that has been overlooked numerous times at work it was great seeing someone step up and say HEY I’m here!!! I’ve fought for my current position and keep on swinging to show my worth.
Aspen teaching Annie how to be a tougher girl by using her skills and not a kick to the shin. Teaching her that it won’t be easy but to keep fighting!!!
Brain was so adorable too. All his words for darling and I my using English when they made love (swoon)