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chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
4.0
This series has been one to last me over the years. I started in 2012 with the first book and it’s always left me wanting more. With the continuing storyline that has grown within each novel, it wraps itself around each new couple in, really, the perfect way. How Ms. McCallan is able to delve so deeply into the tactical nature of these SEALs with mystery and intrigue is literally beyond me. I figure that’s why these novels take so long to be written; the fact that she has to incorporate all the twisted-ness of the characters, the lingo, and the scientific nature to a lot of it, must take forever. It’s mapped out greatly in FORGED IN SMOKE, and immediately you feel at home with these beloved characters even if it’s been awhile since you read the prior books (though I do recommend at least rereading the last 15-20% of FORGED IN ASH to rejig your memory).
While the enemy continues to forever be their shadow, Rawls is struggling with the ghost that crossed over with him after his near-death. It’s preventing his mental stability and forcing him to disengage with his ST7 squad, basically isolating him both mentally and physically. Faith is a welcome distraction, but with the ghost’s strength constantly increasing, he can’t risk something happening to her. But Faith’s secret hinges her to Rawls, and the sexual attraction brewing between the two erupts. Faith, at times, is incredibly skeptical but that falls completely in line with her scientist career. She has a hard time opening her mind to things that aren’t provable by formula or data. Because of this, sometimes she can get on a readers’ nerves, but in realizing that she acts the way most people would in her situation, you begin to give her the benefit of the doubt. And Rawls, that southern gentleman, has always been endearing, but his actions in this book prove it. His selfless nature and strong, trained body were really attractive in a man, fictional or not.
I will admit that this is not a light or fluffy book. It requires concentration as the writing is incredibly mature and filled with a deep plot that has continued since book one, and will continue to do so after this one. The love story is merely a component, though a rather large piece, to the storyline that continues to grow and flourish. I think it’s a bit thicker in this book merely because of who the heroine is and how she plays into the story, and how we’re seeing a decent side into the villains’ heads. Because of that, it may take longer than normal to finish the book, but it won’t delete or diminish your love for these characters and each of their journeys. I loved Rawls and his Faith, and getting to reconnect with all of the other characters I’ve come to know and love. And I especially loved how Amy and Mac’s relationship has waxed and waned since book one, and you’ll be happy to know we get more of them in this book (and, if I am correct, the next book will be theirs!!). I greatly look forward to continuing the series and learning more about how the danger and intrigue play out.
**Received an early copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
While the enemy continues to forever be their shadow, Rawls is struggling with the ghost that crossed over with him after his near-death. It’s preventing his mental stability and forcing him to disengage with his ST7 squad, basically isolating him both mentally and physically. Faith is a welcome distraction, but with the ghost’s strength constantly increasing, he can’t risk something happening to her. But Faith’s secret hinges her to Rawls, and the sexual attraction brewing between the two erupts. Faith, at times, is incredibly skeptical but that falls completely in line with her scientist career. She has a hard time opening her mind to things that aren’t provable by formula or data. Because of this, sometimes she can get on a readers’ nerves, but in realizing that she acts the way most people would in her situation, you begin to give her the benefit of the doubt. And Rawls, that southern gentleman, has always been endearing, but his actions in this book prove it. His selfless nature and strong, trained body were really attractive in a man, fictional or not.
I will admit that this is not a light or fluffy book. It requires concentration as the writing is incredibly mature and filled with a deep plot that has continued since book one, and will continue to do so after this one. The love story is merely a component, though a rather large piece, to the storyline that continues to grow and flourish. I think it’s a bit thicker in this book merely because of who the heroine is and how she plays into the story, and how we’re seeing a decent side into the villains’ heads. Because of that, it may take longer than normal to finish the book, but it won’t delete or diminish your love for these characters and each of their journeys. I loved Rawls and his Faith, and getting to reconnect with all of the other characters I’ve come to know and love. And I especially loved how Amy and Mac’s relationship has waxed and waned since book one, and you’ll be happy to know we get more of them in this book (and, if I am correct, the next book will be theirs!!). I greatly look forward to continuing the series and learning more about how the danger and intrigue play out.
**Received an early copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This series merges the paranormal (think woo-woo rather than vampires) with spec ops. If visions of future events, psychic healing and telepathy aren't your thing, walk away now. The 'Sitrep' at the start of the book made me pause for thought and I have read the other two books.
This feels very much like a mid-series (or penultimate) book. Whilst a lot happens it is all moving along the bigger plot and the book plot is kind of irrelevant.
The book opens (prologue) with Lt Seth 'Rawls' Rawlings dying and being brought back to life through psychic healing by Kait and Cosky. Rawls comes back to life but he has brought back a ghost, the ghost of one of the enemies, the guy who calls himself "Pachico".
A few weeks ago Rawls helped save Faith Ansell, a scientist who was kidnapped by their enemies.
Whilst generally I am open to the woo-woo, FFS I love the paranormal, I find this series difficult to believe and yet I do enjoy the series.
Not the best book in the series but I am still enjoying it and want to read the next.
This series merges the paranormal (think woo-woo rather than vampires) with spec ops. If visions of future events, psychic healing and telepathy aren't your thing, walk away now. The 'Sitrep' at the start of the book made me pause for thought and I have read the other two books.
This feels very much like a mid-series (or penultimate) book. Whilst a lot happens it is all moving along the bigger plot and the book plot is kind of irrelevant.
The book opens (prologue) with Lt Seth 'Rawls' Rawlings dying and being brought back to life through psychic healing by Kait and Cosky. Rawls comes back to life but he has brought back a ghost, the ghost of one of the enemies, the guy who calls himself "Pachico".
A few weeks ago Rawls helped save Faith Ansell, a scientist who was kidnapped by their enemies.
Whilst generally I am open to the woo-woo, FFS I love the paranormal, I find this series difficult to believe and yet I do enjoy the series.
Not the best book in the series but I am still enjoying it and want to read the next.
samie_k3's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it, can't wait to see what happens next in Mac and Amy's book.
thenia's review against another edition
3.0
The adventures of SEAL Team 7 continue, and the story begins with Seth "Rawls" Rawlings experiencing an out of body experience after getting shot. He is brought back from death by Kait's healing gift, but the ghost of one of their recently deceased enemies has managed to tag along too and is hellbent on torturing him.
He keeps his little problem a secret from everyone, including the very pragmatic lab doctor Faith Ansell. Faith ended up with the team when they saved her life from their enemies who kidnapped her colleagues, and has been trying to decide whether to trust them with the secrets of what they were really working on or not.
The two of them are immediately attracted to one another by try to fight it, until
The ghost story that seemed so outlandish to her before is all too real now, and allows her to finally understand Rawls's strange behaviour a little better.
I did not like Faith and how much of a hypocrite she was, considering that.
I remember liking the previous stories of the series a lot more, but perhaps that was because of their couples, whom we get to see quite a lot in this book too. It felt quite dense, with points of view from the main couple, one of the main villains and the team's commander Mac, foreshadowing his story that follows in [b:Forged in Ember|36608838|Forged in Ember (Red-Hot SEALs, #4)|Trish McCallan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519062982s/36608838.jpg|20410468]. By the end of the book Rawls and Faith have gotten their happily ever after, but the team is still in trouble since their enemies are far from vanquished.
The series continues with the novella [b:Bound by Deception|33616744|Bound by Deception (Bound By, #3; Red-Hot SEALs, #3.5; Inheritance, #10)|Trish McCallan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513769040s/33616744.jpg|54443383] and the story of the former Navy SEAL turned police detective Dante "Rio" Addario.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Bound By Temptation (Red-Hot SEALS, #2.6) ~ ★★★★ (27/05/2017)
✦ Bound by Seduction (Red-Hot SEALs, #2.5) ~ ★★★★ (27/12/2016)
✦ Forged In Ash (Red-Hot SEALs #2) ~ ★★★★ (23/05/2016)
✦ Forged in Fire (Red-Hot SEALs #1) ~ ★★★ (31/03/2016)
He keeps his little problem a secret from everyone, including the very pragmatic lab doctor Faith Ansell. Faith ended up with the team when they saved her life from their enemies who kidnapped her colleagues, and has been trying to decide whether to trust them with the secrets of what they were really working on or not.
The two of them are immediately attracted to one another by try to fight it, until
Spoiler
the team's compound is under attack and they end up fleeing together. During their escape through the compound's tunnels, Faith's weak transplanted heart gives out and she dies shortly, but thankfully Kait arrives just in time to bring her back too.The ghost story that seemed so outlandish to her before is all too real now, and allows her to finally understand Rawls's strange behaviour a little better
I did not like Faith and how much of a hypocrite she was, considering that
Spoiler
their super secret project dealt with the paranormal too, yet she refused to even entertain the idea of Kait's abilities or Rawls's ghost being real, despite having seen proof of them herselfI remember liking the previous stories of the series a lot more, but perhaps that was because of their couples, whom we get to see quite a lot in this book too. It felt quite dense, with points of view from the main couple, one of the main villains and the team's commander Mac, foreshadowing his story that follows in [b:Forged in Ember|36608838|Forged in Ember (Red-Hot SEALs, #4)|Trish McCallan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519062982s/36608838.jpg|20410468]. By the end of the book Rawls and Faith have gotten their happily ever after, but the team is still in trouble since their enemies are far from vanquished.
The series continues with the novella [b:Bound by Deception|33616744|Bound by Deception (Bound By, #3; Red-Hot SEALs, #3.5; Inheritance, #10)|Trish McCallan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513769040s/33616744.jpg|54443383] and the story of the former Navy SEAL turned police detective Dante "Rio" Addario.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Bound By Temptation (Red-Hot SEALS, #2.6) ~ ★★★★ (27/05/2017)
✦ Bound by Seduction (Red-Hot SEALs, #2.5) ~ ★★★★ (27/12/2016)
✦ Forged In Ash (Red-Hot SEALs #2) ~ ★★★★ (23/05/2016)
✦ Forged in Fire (Red-Hot SEALs #1) ~ ★★★ (31/03/2016)
labraden's review against another edition
3.0
Forged in Smoke is the third book in the Red-Hot SEALS series. In this book Eric Manheim and his group are closing in on the SEALS where they have taken refuge in the mountains. At the beginning of the book, Rawls is dealt a fatal wound but is healed by Kait and her lover, Cosky. When he comes back from the dead, he brings a bad guy named Pochico back with him. Rawls does not believe in ghosts, so he thinks he may have had some kind of mental breakdown when Pochico begins tormenting him with repeated singing and won't let him go to sleep. Enter Dr. Faith Ansell who is one of several doctors whose deaths have been faked in order to get them working for Manheim on his plan to diminish the population of the world. His plan includes taking control of the Earth's resources in order to save it from over population and stop the devastation of the planet.
This is a huge story that has become bigger with each book in the series. Unfortunately the big story overwhelms the personal stories of the characters. There are now so many characters in the series that there is a list at the beginning of the book telling who each character is and how they each fit into the story. I really like the story being told in this series, but I just wish more time was spent on developing the characters rather than the development of the story. Overall, a good read, and I look forward to the last book in the series.
This is a huge story that has become bigger with each book in the series. Unfortunately the big story overwhelms the personal stories of the characters. There are now so many characters in the series that there is a list at the beginning of the book telling who each character is and how they each fit into the story. I really like the story being told in this series, but I just wish more time was spent on developing the characters rather than the development of the story. Overall, a good read, and I look forward to the last book in the series.
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