Bullets and Dandelions
Author: Gail Koger
Reviewer: Sophia Rose
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
Throughout the series, Gemma Stone’s parents have been larger than life and her family participate a great deal in her law enforcement misadventures. There were hints that her parents and grandfather’s story was something else. I was tickled as could be that Gail Koger went back and told their story in a high octane special ops romance adventure prequel.
Later readers will probably enjoy getting the series in chronological order just as much as I enjoyed getting this one after three books in the regular Deputy Gemma Stone series. In other words, it will standalone just fine.
Tess’ earliest years when her mom was alive were exciting, but wholesome with a dad working as a CIA op and a mom as a doctor with Doctors Without Borders. Her mom’s death changed all that. Her dad’s heart was broken and he had nothing to spare for Tess. In fact, he pushed her hard to learn all the dangerous skills he could teach her.
Tess learned what she was forced to learn, but bided her time to escape her dad’s agenda for her to follow him into the CIA as an assassin. She landed in the army, but even there her bid for freedom was curtailed when her dad caught up with her and had her shunted into sniper school and sent into the hot zone of Afghanistan to work for a man just as keen as dear old dad to use Tess for his own agenda.
Little did anyone know that all the maneuvering put Tess in the crosshairs of a hard-bodied strong-willed Marine Force Recon sergeant who was the first person to see Tess as a woman. Dodging both the open enemy and the dark intriguers around them, Tess and Alexander might just figure out that antagonizing each other is their brand of foreplay.
I didn’t have a doubt in the world I’d have a roaring good time with this pair’s romance. No surprise, it was a blast. In truth, I came to the end and was tempted to go right into a re-read of the series so I could see them again as Gemma’s parents, but with new eyes after their own story. Bullets flew, wise cracks and shenanigans were a plenty, and villains from all sides had this a great rush. Definitely recommend to those who like a light and sometimes comedic tone with their romantic suspense.
My Rating: A
Sophia Rose
About the Book:
My name is Tess Reynolds, and I’ll admit few people would think I’m a badass Army sniper called the Scorpion. Afterall, women snipers were unheard of in 1990. People look at me and see a petite blonde who is cute as a button. My father calls it my natural camouflage.
My time in the Middle East has been full of unforeseen complications. I have a rogue CIA agent trying to kill me and I caught the attention of a Force Recon Marine by the name of Alexander Stone. Wowzer! He’s hot but he’s also the biggest jackass I have ever met. To make things even more interesting, I need the Jackass’s help to stay alive.
This novella is the prequel to the Gemma Stone series. How it all began.
Release Date: December 26, 2024
Publisher: self-published
Series: Deputy Gemma Stone #0.5
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)