Foster made a promise in his hospital bed when his leg was taken from him that he’d get back to one hundred percent. Leg or no leg, he’d get back on the SWAT team if it killed him.
And he does get back. But he has a problem.
He can’t let go of the past.
The anger burns deep, making his emotions volatile at the best of times.
Then he meets Blake with her haughty attitude and inability to distinguish the difference between a pocket knife and a sword.
Little by little, she makes him whole again, one bad joke at a time.
She doesn’t see the revenge in his eyes, though. Doesn’t see the rage burning deep.
Rage so pure and all encompassing, that he knows it’ll explode.
It’s just a matter of time.
What Foster doesn’t realize, though, is that the love that Blake has for him is enough to fight his demons, one kiss at a time.
Foster never stood a chance.
Lani Lynn Vale creates such kickass heroes and heroines – characters willing to fight like hell through anything that comes their way because that’s how they’re made…that’s who they are at their core, which is a good thing because Vale sure provides her characters with a shitstorm of chaos and drama, forcing them to keep themselves in check and get things done in order to remain safe and protect those they love as well.
Another aspect of Vale’s Code 11-KPD Swat series is the camaraderie between the guys on SWAT and how they have each other’s back regardless of the situation, which is exactly what Foster and Blake need when their lives become dangerous and deadly in Charlie Foxtrot.
Foster’s a hard man to be around right now, and no one can blame him; he’s learning how to live and work without part of one of his legs, and while he seems to be getting the hang of everything, it’s not doing much for his attitude. But then Blake enters his life bringing her own strong willed demeanor, unconcerned with Foster’s disability and ready to give hell to the man harassing her grandfather.
Everything moves quickly in Charlie Foxtrot – Foster’s claiming of Blake, the drama that impacts their lives, and the heartache that they have to endure when complications arise. Lori Lynn Vale doesn’t drag anything out in stories, which works to her advantage because the action pulls readers in right from the start and the angst, steam, and danger keep them captivated until Vale reveals all and brings it to a head at the end of the text.
Foster and Blake are great characters determined to work through their respective issues and make a go at their new life the best they can. Their banter and connection is easy and their bodies definitely go together with ease.
Another aspect of the story that works well is Blake’s relationship with her father; it’s absolutely amazing, and I love how Vale showcases their connection throughout the text.
I love Vale’s SWAT men, and I can’t wait for Michael’s story!
4.5 Poison Apples
“I cannot believe you’re making me do this, Uncle Darren. This is Missy’s job. Seriously, I’m going to give every single one of your SWAT team food poisoning, and then where would you be?” that voice said.
The voice that gave me an instant hard on.
The voice that’d been teasing me for weeks over the airwaves.
The voice that I wanted screaming my name with me pounding her to oblivion.
“Missy gave you very detailed instructions. All you have to do is right here,” Chief Rhodes said to Blake.
I’m glad that I never did anything with her…or to her, that would’ve brought his wrath down on my back.
It was a good thing to know. Considering it’d been in all my intentions to seduce her…and possibly keep her.
“Alright, I’ve got the biggest pot I could find, boiling with water. Now what?” she asked, running her finger over a piece of paper at her side.
I glanced at Chief Rhodes and nearly laughed when I saw him flipping through what looked like a Guns & Ammo Magazine.
He wasn’t even paying the least bit of attention to her.
Leaning against the door jam, I continued to watch as she brought out a large paper bag that had ‘Fisherman’s Cove’ on the side.
Peeking into the bag, she squeaked and stepped back, letting the bag drop to the floor.
“Oh, my God! They’re all over the floor, Uncle Darren!” Blake squealed.
The Chief didn’t even look up from his magazine.
“Pick them up,” he said distractedly.
The lobsters, all fifteen of them, started crawling around the kitchen floor.
“Uncle Darren, you big bastard,” Blake hissed.
The Chief smiled. “Did you read this article yet?”
“Which one? The one on the fifty caliber AR-15?” Blake gasped, stepping to the side of a crawling crustacean.
“That one. Do you see how far the shot knocks him back?” the Chief laughed.
“About as far as I’m going to knock you if you don’t fucking help me,” she growled, dancing on the tips of her toes and shaking her head.
I scanned her body, taking in everything in a glance.
Her hair was up in messy bun on top of her head, stray hairs falling out every which way.
She was wearing blue jean shorts that just barely covered her ass, and a white tank top that said, ‘I make dirt look sexy.’
Her legs were long and toned.
They were deeply tanned, but you could tell that they were tan from being outside, and not a tanning bed.
She had a suntan line at her ankles from what looked like socks and shoes.
Her toes were painted a lime green, and she was wearing a pinky toe ring.
The whole outfit was outrageous, but it fit Blake’s personality perfectly.
“Need help?” I rumbled from the doorway.
The Chief didn’t look up, but Blake did.
And she looked stunned.
“What are you doing here so early? Dinner’s not ready yet,” she snapped.
I held my hands up.
“I’m here because I’m supposed to drop these off,” I said, waving a stack of folders in her direction.
My eyes roamed the front of her, zeroing in on the way her pink and white bra straps showed from under her tank.
She narrowed her eyes, and effectively dismissed me by turning her back on me.
I guessed, though, that it was because she was hiding the way her nipples pebbled in reaction to my gaze.
Well, I’ll take that as she was happy to see me.
The Chief finally stood and walked over to me, stepping over a lobster as he went. “You have one escaping into the kitchen,” he said on his way out.
I followed him, smiling at the curse she tossed at his back.
“You’re mean,” I laughed.
The Chief looked over at me and winked. “She needs to be challenged sometimes. And she’s stubborn as hell. If I hadn’t given her something to do, she’d just be worrying.”
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