Code Name: Outlaw - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Nov 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactical (Book 5)
            LinearTactical (Book 15)
 
Months trapped in the clutches of a madman made Jenna Franklin a shell of the woman she once was. All she can do now is use her computer genius from inside the safety of closed doors.
 
Even two years later, going outside = blood-freezing panic.
 
She’s made herself a haven in the only place she’s felt safe since her captivity: Oak Creek, Wyoming—home of her Linear Tactical friends. They don’t realize the extent of her emotional trauma, but at least she knows she can trust them.
 
Only one person knows the truth about the fragile mental state she’s hiding: Zodiac agent, Mark Outlawson—code name: Outlaw.
 
He’s witnessed her panic firsthand. Knows what it does to her.
 
When info on a human trafficking group—one connected to her own captivity—comes to light, it’s clear only Jenna’s expertise can stop them. Mark will have to prove Jenna can trust him—to keep her secrets, to protect her, to help fight her demons.
 
He’ll prove this outlaw is a hero.
 
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down - not unusual for a Janie Crouch book! Code Name: Outlaw is a crossover story between the Linear and Zodiac Tactical books. Mark Outlawson, code name Outlaw, works for Zodiac Tactical and helps the team at Linear Tactical when needed. Almost two years earlier, he had participated in taking down a human trafficking ring, which is where he met Jenna Franklin. He has never forgotten her.
 
Jenna is a brilliant bioengineer and computer genius. She was kidnapped, tortured, and forced to create a method of chemical subjugation and gene editing. Since her rescue, she has suffered from debilitating PTSD and agoraphobia to the point where she can't leave her home. Even her Linear Tactical friends in Oak Creek don't know the extent of her suffering as she never talks about it. Jenna feels her condition is worsening after her fears were brutally used against her. She has begun to question her sanity.
 
The story begins when the FBI sends one of its agents to Oak Creek to request help from Linear Tactical and Jenna. A new human trafficking ring is using Jenna's methods in a new and deadly way, and they need Jenna's help to stop them. I loved this scene, as the LT team doesn't care for this agent and gives him an especially "warm" welcome. Dorian and Ray made me laugh out loud with their pointed attention. I ached for Jenna as she forced herself out of her safe haven to the Eagle's Nest to deal with the issue.  As terrified as she is to get involved, Jenna knows she has to help, or she won't be able to live with herself.
 
Over the past year and a half, Mark has become friends with Jenna. He understands her fears after seeing her condition when she was rescued. Over time, his feelings for her have deepened, but he knows she isn't ready to hear it. When he learns what is required of her, Mark is determined to give her all the support she needs. I loved seeing the depth of his caring as he took extraordinary steps to help Jenna with her fears. Using a mobile lab and command center provided by Mark's boss at Zodiac Tactical, Mark and Jenna race against time to unravel the clues, stop the deaths, and prevent a terrorist plot.
 
I loved watching the relationship develop between Jenna and Mark. His love for Jenna is evident from the get-go, and his patience and understanding won my heart. Jenna realizes that her feelings for Mark are deeper than friendship but believes that Mark would grow to resent the severity of her agoraphobia. I loved watching him chip away at her fears with his understanding. Mark also has his demons to fight, ones that mean the end of the life he has now. We see his fears and frustrations as he struggles to keep his problems from impacting their mission. When everything was over, I loved how Mark's vision helped Jenna see the possibilities of a future together. The two epilogues were fantastic, and I loved the look at their future happiness.
 
The suspense of the story was intense from start to finish. From the moment that FBI agent Callum Webb shows up in Oak Creek, we get a roller coaster of emotions as Jenna struggles to find the formula to stop the deaths. She and Mark crisscross the country looking for the clues that will put her on the right track. Right on their heels are those who want to stop her from finding the antidote and force her to complete the project to their satisfaction. The twists and turns kept me glued to the pages through the final confrontation. I felt Jenna's terror when they were captured; she had to choose between helping the bad guys and seeing them kill Mark. I loved her ingenuity in finding the perfect solution. There were some scarily intense moments before it was all over, but it was all worth it.
 
While the Linear Tactical series has now come to its official end, I expect we will continue to see various characters in other books. The LT and ZT teams are such good friends (and being intermarried) that it would be hard to separate the two completely. I'd also like to see Callum get his own story. 

 

Code Name: Pisces - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Publishing - Aug 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactical (Book 4)
 
My code name is Pisces. The stars say I’m independent, wise, and intuitive.
 
Still waters run deep.
 
I’m the leader of Zodiac Tactical’s guardian unit. We’re the bodyguards—the ones who stand toe to toe with danger and refuse to give any ground. We protect people who need it most.
 
But what if who needs it most is a spoiled diva?
 
I don’t normally take on movie stars. I don’t have time for the drama nor their self-centered lifestyle. If they don’t take their safety seriously, how can I?
 
But there’s something different about Alyse Peterson. On the outside America’s Glamor Princess is everything I want to avoid. But behind her perfect smile and sapphire eyes is a heartbreak she’s hiding from everyone.
 
She has secrets. And a stalker willing to kill to get to them.
 
My code name is Pisces. And anybody who wants to get to her, will have to go through me.
 
Once again, Janie Crouch has written a book that grabbed me from the first page and kept me enthralled to the very end.  The story opens as Alyse prepares for a modeling job. We immediately see that she is uncomfortable with the number of people around her and must work at being the person everyone expects to see. Matters go from bad to worse when she receives a "gift" from a stalker. Her fear was palpable, and I loved that her manager, Jared, knew exactly who to call - Zodiac Tactical.
 
Tristan oversees the protection division of ZT. It is the perfect place for him as he is a protector by nature. He has a few control issues, thanks to an event in his past. He's not happy when the request comes in to provide security for Alyse. He has a very poor opinion of movie stars, thanks to previous experience, but Alyse is a special case. Tristan did a job for her father years earlier and owed the man for his influence that helped establish the business.  He still hopes to steer her toward another firm for her security needs.
 
The first meeting between Tristan and Alyse doesn't go well. Tristan goes in with preconceived ideas about Alyse and her life, and Alyse is clearly on edge.  Tristan does not expect the immediate swell of protectiveness he feels toward her, despite his beliefs about her. His action with the food is sweet but freaks him out by being very out of character for him. He then overcompensates by being harsh and judgmental. I ached for Alyse, who was barely holding it together. His demand to have someone staying in her house was the last straw. Her home is her sanctuary and the only place she could be herself and maintain her sanity. Tristan's parting words were obnoxiously rude and uncalled for, but Alyse got the last word. I loved his friends'/coworkers' reactions.
 
I loved seeing the relationship between Tristan and Alyse develop. It doesn't take too long for Tristan to realize that Alyse's perfect image is carefully cultivated and used as armor against the outside world. As he catches an occasional glimpse of the real Alyse, he becomes determined to break through that perfect veneer. Meanwhile, Alyse's compulsion to maintain that image around Tristan gets harder to sustain. The author did a stellar job of showing how the events of her past drove Alyse's fears and insecurities. I loved Tristan's patience and gentleness as he tried to break through that wall. I cheered when it finally came down and loved Tristan's immediately stunned and positive reaction. With the dropping of that barrier, the attraction that both had been fighting was unleashed.
 
There are many sweet and moving scenes of the two getting to know each other and growing closer. I loved seeing Alyse blossom under Tristan's attention, though she still hid her authentic self from the public. As the stalker's actions escalate, Tristan becomes more determined to stop him. Unfortunately, this leads him to make a boneheaded decision that makes sense security-wise but leaves Alyse feeling betrayed. I ached for them both - Alyse, whose entire life was upended by what happened, and Tristan, who realized what a terrible mistake he'd made. It also opened the window for the stalker. Tristan's fear for Alyse leaped off the page, as did his love and desperation to save her. There was no doubt about their love for each other when it was all over.
 
The bonus epilogue, which takes place in Oak Creek, Wyoming, showcases the close ties between the Linear Tactical and Zodiac Tactical characters. I laughed out loud at the conversation as Gavin, Baby, and Ian gave Tristan a hard time about his feelings. Tristan's scene with Alyse and the end was sweet, romantic, and - dare I say? - perfect.
 
The suspense of the story was gripping. From the first moment of the stalker's appearance to the final confrontation, there wasn't a minute that I wasn't glued to the pages. The audacity and creepiness of his actions oozed off the pages. I could feel the frustration of Tristan and the rest of the team as the stalker was scary smart and seemed to be one step ahead of them at all times. I liked the inclusion of Callum Webb, the Omega Sector operative who is so good at getting inside the bad guys' heads, and the insight that helped them identify the stalker. Unlike some stories where it's easy to figure out, this one kept me guessing to the very end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with the stalker seeming to have every advantage. The resolution was fantastic.

Code Name: Libra - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - May 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactica: Rescue Unit (Book 3)

My code name is Libra. The stars say I'm charismatic, intelligent, charming.
 
The one with the easy smile.
 
Zodiac Tactical has been the biggest part of my life for the past three years. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And I've always been at the front lines -- first to help in whatever way was needed.
 
Until I took a bullet to the chest.
 
Now everybody's worried about me. So I'm sent on what's supposed to be an easy mission -- gathering intel about some potential bad guys while on a tropical island for a wedding. Lay low, blend in, catch a little tan while getting the job done. Can't be too hard.
 
Until I defend the bride's adorable sister against some cruel cattiness and the next thing I know I'm mentioning I'm her fiancé.
 
Surprise.
 
When the mission takes a turn for the much more dangerous, and my fiancée finds herself in the middle of it, I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. My wounds may have knocked me down, but a Navy SEAL, even a former one with a couple extra bullet holes, always gets back up.
 
My code name is Libra. Don't let the easy smile fool you.
 
Another stellar entry in the Zodiac Tactical constellation. I really must learn to start these books early in the day, because once again I started reading after 9 pm and couldn't stop until I finished the whole thing at 4 am. Like the others, it is told from dual first-person perspectives - Landon and Bethany. It can be read as a stand-alone, but the experience is richer if you read them in order.
 
This book begins six months after Landon nearly died from a point-blank shot to the chest (Code Name: Virgo). He's been on desk duty ever since getting out of the hospital, and he is champing at the bit to get back in the field. Fortunately, a request comes in for an intelligence-gathering mission at a wedding on an island resort. He has the skills to go undercover as the baker's assistant for the bride's sister. It should be an easy assignment.
 
Bethany is the black sheep in her wealthy family. Rather than live off daddy's money, she started her bakery and works for a living. She is petite and curvy and frequently catches grief from her mother because of it. Bethany is also aware that her father's business practices aren't always ethical and maintains her distance because of it. But when her sister calls and begs her to provide the wedding week treats, she can't say no. It will be a chance to showcase her bakery and drum up some needed business. She never expected her trusted handyman cake-stand builder to bail on her and send a stranger to take his place.
 
I loved the first meeting between Landon and Bethany. He is known for his handsome face and charming ways, and he lays it on pretty thick when he meets her. Bethany is wary, but his easygoing way gets past her defenses, while his skills as a carpenter earn him a place on her team. The sparks between them are evident, but Landon is mission-focused, and Bethany isn't interested in a fling. Landon finds himself unexpectedly protective of Bethany when he sees how she is treated and cuts off some catty remarks when he claims to be her fiancé. It was unplanned, but being her fiancé opened some unexpected opportunities for his undercover work.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Bethany and Landon develop. Between being dumped by her previous boyfriend and the negative attitudes of the people around her, Bethany's self-esteem is pretty low. She has difficulty believing that Landon a) likes her for herself and b) is honestly attracted to her. Landon has difficulty keeping his eyes and hands off her, but his mission must come first. He feels guilty about deceiving her and does his best to maintain control of his actions until his task is completed. There are some terrific scenes of their time together, both working and when Landon coaxes her into relaxing. When they finally give in to their attraction, their chemistry is explosive. But an unexpected problem with his mission plays havoc with their developing relationship, and Landon fears she'll never trust him again. A couple of twists bring them back together in some heart-pounding circumstances, and honest communication solidifies their relationship.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. The most important was Landon's mission to acquire information on two human traffickers. Landon is on his own except for some minimal backup from fellow ZT Tristan. I liked their scenes together, which were intense with risk. Most of the time, Landon must depend on quick wits and charm to create his opportunities. He made me laugh with his Dodgers hat ploy. His scenes with his quarry's security guards were nail biters. I was on the edge of my seat as Landon's last chance came down to the wire. I loved how Bethany saved the day. The tension wasn't over, though, as Bethany became the target of a vengeful man. I loved seeing Landon call on his SEAL abilities and go from charming to deadly in the blink of an eye. While Landon's mission was successfully completed, some lingering issues will carry on into the next book.
 
Bethany's sister went against her mother's wishes when she insisted Bethany be given the wedding week pastry job. I loved her confidence in Bethany and her support of Bethany's dream. I wanted to shake their mother for her confidence-busting comments. It was disheartening to see that some people believed Bethany would mess up or purposely do something to ruin the wedding. My heart broke for her when her nightmares became real the night before the wedding. I loved Landon's support and how he helped get her past the shock and into recovery mode. The culprit did not surprise me, nor did their idiotic actions that reveal the truth. The unexpected outpouring of love and help she got was heartwarming and encouraging for the future.
 
The epilogue was fantastic. I loved catching up with Ian and Wavy, Sarge and Bronwyn, and seeing the progression of Landon and Bethany's relationship. I liked the lead-in to the next book and can't wait to see Tristan again.

Code Name: Virgo - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Publishing - Jan 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactica;: Rescue Unit (Book 2)

My code name is Virgo. The stars say I’m practical, honest, stubborn as hell.
 
Guilty as charged.
 
Zodiac Tactical is the company that gave me a second chance. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And as a former SEAL, I’m good at those things. Good with weapons, good with missions.
 
But with people...not so good.
 
So when a gruesome enemy takes Bronwyn Rourke, one of Zodiac’s newest young recruits—with blue eyes that take up nearly her whole damn face—I shouldn’t take it personally. Shouldn’t allow her to consume my every thought and become my only mission.
 
They took her because they thought she was alone. Easy prey. That no one would fight for her.
 
They were wrong.
 
My code name is Virgo. And I will grind my enemy to dust to bring her home.
 
Yet another of the author's books that had me pulling an all-nighter. I really must learn to start these books earlier in the day. I know this, but somehow it doesn't stop me from reading as soon as possible. This is the second book in the Zodiac Tactical series, and much of it takes place concurrently with Code Name: Aries but from a different perspective. There are some overlapping scenes, but not many, and those don't feel repetitive.
 
The story starts with Sarge's first encounter with Bronwyn. He's a SEAL whose team just finished a mission and is on leave in Prague (terrific city - the descriptions took me back to my visits there). He spots Bronwyn, a talented pickpocket, as she works the square. He doesn't interfere until later when he rescues her from a disturbing situation. I loved Sarge's protectiveness and honorable nature, something Bronwyn had no experience with. The scene in his hotel room was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved the connection between them and how important that connection became. I ached for Bronwyn when something she said after leaving caused him harm and for Sarge, who believed she'd betrayed him. Despite the circumstances, neither one forgot the other.
 
Five years later (current day), Sarge is back in Prague and looking for Bronwyn. Nothing much has changed, but now Sarge works for Zodiac Tactical. This time when he encounters Bronwyn, he offers her the means to escape her current situation by recruiting her for Zodiac. When she shows up at their Paris location, he keeps a watchful but distant eye on her. When we see Bronwyn again, she is in the middle of a mission. I loved seeing her pride in her work, and how she overcame the temptation she felt at a crucial moment. Everything looks good as Bronwyn successfully completes her mission. But things go downhill fast when she arrives back at her hotel room and is drugged and taken.
 
When Sarge finds out that Bronwyn is missing, his protectiveness goes into overdrive. Hw leaves no stone unturned in his search for her. Even when others believe she left on her own, he doesn't give up. And when video shows up of Bronwyn participating in robberies and other illegal behavior, Sarge is the only one who believes that something is wrong. I loved his determination to find her and his confidence in her when he does. In the segments done from Bronwyn's point of view, we witness the devastating torture she experiences at the hands of Mosaic and the excruciatingly painful methods of mind control they use. I couldn't help but be amazed at her strength of will as she fought against the darkness. I loved how her connection with Sarge gave her the strength to endure and survive. Her mental conversations with him were often the only thing that kept her from going over the edge.
 
I ached for Sarge on those occasions he caught up with Bronwyn. He worked so hard to stop her without hurting her, but because of the brainwashing, Bronwyn didn't hold back, though she could never bring herself to kill him. The parallels and overlaps with Ian and Wavy's story helped build my anticipation for some of the things I knew were coming. I loved it when Sarge whisked Bronwyn away to the ranch to heal and recover. His patience and care were terrific. I hurt for Bronwyn, who believed that she was broken, no matter how often Sarge tried to tell her how amazing she was. The back and forth as various groups fought for possession of Bronwyn made me ache for everything she experienced.
 
I loved how Bronwyn's time with Jenna while Sarge was away allowed Bronwyn to push her brain for memories that Sarge held her back from. Bronwyn's determination to unlock the secrets shows how strong she is. Her horror at what she learned was tempered by knowing that she has information vital to stopping Mosaic.  I loved her plan, and though Sarge hated it, he had to admit it could work. I was glued to the pages (and wide awake at 5 am!) as they carried it out. Of course, there's frequently a monkey wrench thrown into the works during the process, and this was no exception. I loved watching Bronwyn face off against the one responsible for her troubles. Justice was served in the end.
 
During their time on the ranch, Bronwyn and Sarge had the chance to get to know each other. Because of their age difference, Sarge was cautious about how he treated her. It took a while for him to admit his feelings for her, though Bronwyn knew hers. I could feel her frustration at times as he kept that bit of distance between them. I loved when she finally broke through his control, and they experienced what was meant to be. The epilogue was fantastic.
 
I can't wait for the next Zodiac book, as well as the Resting Warrior Ranch series.