Blackburn (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Brynne Asher

• ASIN: B07DNDRS71
• Publish Date: 2018
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Format: eBook (Kindle)
• Pages: 168
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Blackburn by Brynne Fisher began on an exciting note, however, somewhere along the journey it lost the excitement and ended up being an average read for this reader.
This is the first book in the Special Forces Operation Alpha series. It tells the story of Gabe Blackburn and Lillian Burkette. Gabe is a tech genius, a former ranger owner and CEO of a top tech company. Lillian is a marketing rep in Gabe’s company. Gabe’s attracted to Lillian, but being his employee, he keeps her at a distance with his frosty attitude. So, when he stepped in to accompany her on a business trip to Nicaragua, because her immediate boss could not make it, she was not enthused. Then, to make matters worse, while returning from conducting business with a potential client, they got caught in an ambush.


The author delivered a story broken down in to two parts. I found the first part of the story exciting. Fraught with danger, Gabe and Lillian found themselves in a perilous situation while trying to stay alive and make their way safely back to the States. In the middle of their crisis, Lillian will learn of Gabe’s protective nature, which made her see him in a different light. Lillian may not have been a kick-ass heroine, but she proved to be strong and never allowed her fears to overwhelm her. It disappointed me to see how this aspect of the story played out. It ended abruptly and left me with questions as to the identity of the mastermind of the ambush and the primary reason for it.


The second half of the story focused on Lillian’s issues with her family upon her return to the states. I am not clear as to the reason for inclusion, as it had no connection to character’s experience in Nicaragua.


Narration
The narrators Virginia Rose and Aaron Shedlock did a great job in bringing the story to life and in portraying the voices of the characters. I would listen to them again if given the chance.


Conclusion/Recommendation
This had the potential to be a four-star or higher read, however, because of unfinished storylines and the lack of fluidity between the two plotlines it ended up being a three-star read for me. That being said, I would read more of the author’s work.

[thebookdisciple]

Cute overall. I loved the danger in the jungle part, but then the 2nd 1/2 of the book was about Lillian's family drama. It felt disjointed a bit. There were a lot of questions about the jungle part that didn't get answered because the focus became Lillian's family.

[stacey_is_sassy]

When you’ve found a good thing…

I’d like to think I’m somewhat of a connoisseur of romance stories. Can you be a connoisseur of romance reads? The definition for a connoisseur is –

a person who knows a lot about and enjoys one of the arts, or food, drink, etc. and can judge quality and skill in that subject
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/connoisseur

Hmmm…I know a lot about romance and enjoy reading them immensely. Writing romance is an art form isn’t it? I can judge quality and skill in the subject. Time for a banner change...



Not bragging or anything (MUCH!!) but I like to think my skills fall in finding brilliant and remarkable authors who write contemporary, historical and paranormal romance. When I find a new “good thing” I want to share that “good thing” with the world. Brynne Asher, she’s a bloody “good thing”. Every time I get the opportunity to read a new story by her, I’m immediately sighing with delight. There’s something about her characters that make you feel like their friends and you’ve known them for years. Her words flow in a way that’s easy, comfortable and just plain old good.

Blackburn was a fantastic little story and I found myself sucked in from the very first page. It’s a small package of goodness, filled with action, adventure, steam, sizzle and sigh-worthy moments. He’s bossy, tough and a man with many talents. She’s a smart and attractive woman who tries to look for the best in every situation. You could tell from the very start that his gruffness was a front. He wanted her sweetness but didn’t know how much until her life was in danger. There was no way that either could fight the attraction that was always sizzling below the surface.

Now, I’ve convinced you that Brynne Asher has MAD skills, haven’t I? Well, just trust me, she’s good. So, you’re probably wondering why this little package of goodness didn’t get 5 stars? Well, my friends, it’s the old…the small package didn’t hit the spot. I needed more. I wanted more. I had to have more. I needed to see the office dynamics when Gabriel Blackburn was a douchewaffle. I wanted to know why Lillian Burkette chose Spanish and how she came to love Central America. I had to have more Gabriel fighting the baddies to protect the woman he’s coming to care for. I just wanted more of the nitty gritty and because I KNOW Brynne Asher is a “good thing”, I know it would have been better longer.

But, alas, I have to settle for the little package and wait patiently for Brynne Asher’s next big thing to come along. I’m sure that one will have the length and breadth to hit the right spot. 😉

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.