Proving Ground

Stanalei Fletcher

Apr 2015 · The Wild Rose Press Inc

About this ebook

Screw-ups don’t get second chances. That’s what Caitlin Malone believes when she returns to Oregon after failing her first Northstar Security assignment. When she inadvertently stumbles across a plot to steal deadly pathogens from the bio-lab near her hometown, she sees a chance at redemption. USDA Forest Ranger, John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair, doesn’t want to babysit the motorcycle club holding their annual rally in his national forest. To make matters worse, Caitlin is attending the rally with Mac’s estranged uncle. Having her home again brings up feelings that are better left buried. It’s early September. Any spark will send the dry timber into a raging fire. The terrorists are counting on that distraction to work in their favor. When Caitlin is trapped by the wildfire, her only hope of rescue is pinned on Mac, the man she's tried two years to forget. Before they can share their feelings, Mac and Caitlin must first escape the burning forest and stop the terrorists from releasing the deadly pathogens.

Ratings and reviews

An interesting listen with some action, lost love, family issues, drama and second chances. Caitlin is a strong woman but has an issue of thinking things out before she jumps which gets her into a mess with her job which puts her on leave. Her boss is an old time buddy of her fathers, he demands she goes home, she doesn’t want to for a few different reasons. Go home as order she does with her tail between her legs. On returning home she finds two things her father is in the hospital with issues from a long time accident from a bullet and the man she has always loved right in her face. He is the real reason she left years ago much against her father’s wishes. Her father told her if you take this job don’t come home…. Mr. Fletcher’s narration is good he does need to work a little on his women voices which are not bad just not a true female voice. He also needs to pause a little more to let you get the full effect. I am not staying it is bad by no means, and he didn’t race through it just needs a little more pause between characters, and what is going on around them. His normal voice is pleasant, it was a clear and clean audio with no background noises, no repeating of words and no volume changes. There were times when a little too much emotion was displayed and maybe not enough at other times. His male voices are wonderful, I always knew who was talking and what they were feeling. I thought his nurse was wonderful loved how she took control and you had no trouble understanding she meant business. I could not tell when breaks were taken, and I did enjoy his narration. He did bring the story a live and enjoyable. I thought it was worth my time and did enjoy the audio. The author gives a good listen with interesting characters. It wasn’t a book I had trouble putting down but wasn’t a book I didn’t want to listen to. Her characters are likable, the plot was nice along with the action. Something was missing I can’t put my finger on it but it. I thought Caitlin needed to grow up a little, the story is a lot about me, me and what I want. She isn’t a team player and it maybe the reason I didn’t really care for her was because of the voice the narrator used for her. I did enjoy a lot of the scenes, along with the danger and excitement. Is it worth your time, yes it was entertaining and I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the mystery around the plot but didn’t understand why she didn’t tell them about the two men from the start or at least once Mac got to her. It was a long time before they started looking for the man who started it all. Caitlin just never has her head where it needs to be. There was a little humor and I really enjoyed it as well as the danger. It isn’t a story I got lost in but it is a good story.

Enjoyed this first book of the Northstar security series with Caitlin and Mac solving the biohazard threat. Good storyline and characters. Ebook from netgalley and publishers however bought copy of book since liked it so much. Opinions are entirely my own.

About the author

Stanalei's love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm's Fairy Tales, Barbara Cartland and Alistair MacLean. She has over 20 years in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a 3rd degree black belt, in Aikido. After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her hero, who is also her best friend and husband. Together they enjoy the open road astride a Harley, visiting museums and exploring ghost towns. Visit Stanalei at www.stanaleifletcher.com