Marine Force Recon: A Military Romance

Elle James

Apr 2019 · Declan's Defenders Book 1 · Sold by Harlequin

About this ebook

Wrong place, wrong time.

Right man for the job.

Declan O’Neill’s US Marines career is over, but nothing can stop him from saving lives. When he starts an organization that aims to help people who can’t defend themselves, his first client is a woman desperate for answers. Grace Lawrence knows something happened to her roommate, and she’s certain she can trust Declan to uncover the truth…though she wonders if she can trust herself with a soldier like Declan.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more fast-paced gripping suspense in the Declan’s Defenders series:
Marine Force Recon
Show of Force
Full Force
Driving Force
Tactical Force

Ratings and reviews

The first book in the new Declan’s Defenders series is a non-stop thrilling read that keeps readers on the edge of their seat as Declan O’Neill ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Declan and Grace are strong, bold characters that demand the readers’ attention from the word go and the chemistry between is an electrical force that readers can practically feel leaping from the pages. It’s sweet, it’s passionate and full of intense happenings and emotional turmoil that Declan and Grace handle it all with a strength that readers can’t help but admire. The starts off with an exhilarating event as Declan steps up and interferes in some bad guys plans and the story only gets more thrilling from there as Declan partners up with Grace to uncover the truth behind her roommate’s disappearance. Lots of intrigue and pulse pounding events take place throughout ensuring that there is never a dull moment and the start of Declan’s new organization that aims to help people who can’t defend themselves ensures that readers are going to come back for more. The author brings this story to vivid exciting life with well written words that make it easy for readers to imagine each and every detail as it happens making it impossible to put this non-stop thrilling story down.

Elle James -Marine Force Recon (Declan’s Defenders Series – Book 1) So, why should you read this book? Well, in the first few pages, the story takes off at lightning speed with enough action to cause you to bite your nails and find a way to turn the pages faster. We find out that Declan O’Neill and his former teammates were all dis-honorably discharged from the Marines and Declan will be homeless before his trip to D.C. ends. As he is waiting at a traffic light, he sees several cars that are fully loaded with mercenaries and enough firepower to take on anybody that gets in their way. Declan’s military training kicks in and he pushes the woman, Grace Lawrence that is next to him, to the ground and protects her with his own body. Declan witnesses that their target is an elderly woman that he finds out later is a very wealthy widow, Ms. Charlotte (Charlie) Halverson. He systematically takes on the mercenaries, and against all the odds, Declan prevents Ms. Charlie from being kidnapped. As the story continues, Grace meets Declan again, when she interviews with Ms. Charlie for a position in her company. It so happens that her roommate and best friend, Riley Lansing works at Ms. Charlie’s company too. When Grace becomes a target, and Riley goes missing, Declan is charged with Grace’s protection and solving the mystery of why Ms. Charlie and Grace are being targeted. Declan calls in the rest of his former teammates to help him with this new assignment. Will Declan be able to keep Grace and Charlie safe and will Declan be able to keep his hands off of Grace? I volunteered to read this book for an honest review. NOTE: As an added bonus is the Author provided her readers with a list of characters. I love this because it is months and sometimes a year+ before the next installment comes out. I have to spend a lot of time going back through the last book (sometimes more) in the series before I can start reading. I wished that all authors would do this for their readers. My scale for rating the books I read: --1 Star if the characters are well developed and the H/h are likable, and I can root for them; --1 Star if the book has enough action to hold your interest throughout the book; --1 star if the HEAT LEVEL is HOT (not erotic but not lukewarm either); --1 Star with No Cliff Hangers or Part 2 (there are few exceptions); --½ Star when the book has been edited properly --½ Star for an Epilog or a glimpse into the future (This usually ties up any loose threads and since I have taken my time to read the book, want to know where this couple ends up. I do not like an abrupt ending, not even a little bit. This book received 5 stars because all the above was on target for me.

Despondent over receiving a dishonorable discharge from the Marines, Declan decides to play tourist in Washington, DC. Having never seen the various monuments, Declan decides to wonder Washington until he can figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. He knows one thing for certain, he can’t go home until he “proves” himself. While contemplating life, a couple of vans block a limo and gunfire breaks out. Declan pushes a woman to the ground, then proceeds to assist in saving an elderly lady-before he’s arrested.... After surviving the terrorist attack in the streets, Grace finds she’s missed her job interview and was left with a stranger’s backpack. So Grace reschedules her interview and goes in search of the man who saved her. Unable to locate her hero, Grace heads home to discover her roommate is missing. After spending the night looking for Riley, Grace goes to her interview where she is surprised by her hero. Grace would do anything for Riley, so she accepts help from Declan. A fast paced, page turner! The suspense had me at the edge of my seat! I truly thought Grace and Declan were going to be discovered while snooping in Riley’s office. I loved that Grace wasn’t weak, that she fought with all she had. I thought the story was unique and intriguing with plenty of romantic moments. I can’t wait to read the conclusion to Riley’s story! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

About the author

Raised an Air Force brat, Elle James got her work ethic from her dad, creativity from mom and inspiration from her sister. As a member of the reserves, she's traveled, managed a career, and raised three children. She and her husband even raised ostriches and emus. Ask her what it's like to go toe-to-toe with a 350-pound bird! Former manager of computer programmers, Elle is happy to write full time in NW Arkansas.