| Title | : | Hotshot (Dark Ops, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0425228339 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780425228333 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Trade Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 280 |
| Publication | : | First published May 5, 2009 |
Hotshot (Dark Ops, #2) Reviews
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For a book that started out sort of slow and meandering, this one really picked up the pace and had me hooked by the half-way mark. I think the initial problem I had with it wasn't in the characters, but the plot about gangs and legislation involving gang violence. I just wasn't all that hooked on the plot. But once the relationship between the hero and heroine started to develop, I got more involved.
Shay Bassett's a reformed wild child, now a responsible nurse volunteering her time at a youth center, manning a suicide hot-line in a gang infested part of Cleveland. Shay understands and can relate to the neighborhood youth; she had a wild and troubled teenage past, and problems with her military father who wasn't always there for her. After a particularly painful incident that nearly cost her her life, she slowly began to turn her life around. Now she's getting ready to testify in a Congressional hearing about the escalating gang activity in Cleveland, but it looks like someone wants to prevent that from happening.
Air Force Major Vince "Vapor" Deluca hasn't seen Shay since one horrible night that changed their lives seventeen years ago. Now his former mentor (and Shay's father) asks for his help keeping an eye on Shay. The FBI has been monitoring the increased gang activity in Cleveland and their possible ties to terrorists, and suspect Shay may somehow be involved. While Vince hasn't been in touch with Shay since his own former gang member days, he can't believe that she would be involved in terrorist activities. Since he credits Shay's father Don with turning his life around, he's happy to help. And he wouldn't mind getting a look at the girl who almost got to him all those years ago.
To make a long story short, Shay and Vince meet up again, find the fire and passion is still there after 17 years, but this time they do something about it. It doesn't take long before Shay is off the suspect list, especially when she keeps having to dodge attempts on her life. Vince vows to keep her safe, and their forced close contact ignites something in both of them that's been on the back burner all these years. He can't resist her long, sexy legs; she can't get enough of his shaved head, and intimidating, muscular, tatooed body. Hot bedroom scenes ensue. But Shay has some hangups about military men due to a rather tenuous relationship with her father. Will she trust Vince enough to let him into her heart and reveal the painful secrets of her past that he knows nothing about?
Like I said, I wasn't too interested in the whole gang activity plot. It was kind of ho-hum for me. And until the relationship between Shay and Vince started to heat up and get interesting, I was just biding my time. But then things started coming together with the plot and the relationships, and I couldn't put it down. I really admired Shay for turning her life around and making something of herself and wanting to help the teens of her hometown. I thought her relationship with her father was rather interesting; she had doubts about his love for her because he wasn't always there for her emotionally or physically, but he truly did care for her, just wasn't effective communicating that to her. Her father Don had his own rather hot romance with an alpha female FBI agent that at times upstaged the main romance of Shay and Vince. Fifty-six year old Don even had some hot bedroom moments himself! I also loved and admired Vince's character. Beneath his gruff and intimidating appearance was a kind heart and gentle soul--he was really one good guy. And Shay and Vince together really cooked. Perfectly matched couple.
The book built to a very suspenseful (if at times hard to believe) conclusion, involving a suicide bomber, a kidnapping, a birth, a smuggling of illegal arms into the country, and a wild ride in an experimental Air Force plane. Great fun.
Although there wasn't a whole lot of military action going on since Vince was on leave, the author did manage to work in the other members of his squadron, who assisted in some hi-tech surveillance of gang members. It was nice to get an update on Jimmy 'Hotwire' Gage and to anticipate the future stories yet to be told about the other guys.
If your're a fan of hot military romance, you'll probably enjoy this series. While it wasn't quite as good for me as the first book in the series,
Defender, it did hold my interest once it got going and got better and better as I kept reading. A pretty solid if unspectacular effort. 4 stars. -
Opening Line "Opening Line: “Major Vince “Vapor” Deluca didn’t need to ask if there were Harleys in heaven.”
Hotshot was an okay read for me. I’d been looking forward to it after enjoying the first book in the series so much, and of course I was intrigued by our pilot hero Vince Deluca, who is described as a tattooed, former bad boy biker, now part of the Air Force’s top secret squadron of test pilots (AKA Dark Ops) I mean yum.
Unlike (
Defender) though this book has no real military action or exotic locations which are what I’d been anticipating and enjoyed so much about the 1st book). Hotshot takes place entirely on US soil, with our hero on leave. I also had a hard time getting into the whole plot line involving troubled youth and gangs which then somehow segued into terrorism. And while there was nothing wrong with our couple de jour I just never felt “it” between them and was actually more interested in the secondary romance going on between the heroine’s father and his FBI co-agent. For me they upstaged the main romance (complete with hot, breaking the furniture love scenes) and when that happens you know it’s not a good sign.
When Major Vince “Vapor” Deluca receives a message from his former mentor (the man responsible for getting him into the Air Force and turning his life around) he doesn’t ask too many questions he just does. Before he knows it he’s responsible for protecting the man’s daughter. Trouble is, the daughter is someone from his shady biker gang past, someone he’s never been quite able to forget. And while it has been 17 years he can’t believe that she’ d now be involved in terrorist activities which is what the FBI thinks. She’s also getting ready to testify in a congressional hearing involving the recent escalated gang activity so she’s in deep do-do because the gangs aren’t going to sit by and let that happen.
Shay Basset is a nurse volunteering in her spare time at a youth center in a not so nice part of downtown Cleveland. Manning the suicide hot line is a job she takes very seriously, having had issues herself growing up she can relate to her callers. Vince is the absolute last person she ever expected to see walking in the centers doors and seeing him again just brings back everything from her painful and desperate past on so many different levels. But damn he looks good with a shaved head. (loved the reason why he had a shaved head) and just maybe it’s time they put their unresolved past behind them. Before long Shay is dodging multiple attempts on her life and her and Vince are on the run.
I have to say this did get better as things went along but all in all a completely forgettable story with an over-the-top ending. And what was up with the spy cameras in the bees and spiders? Really!
346jb2 -
4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense
I liked ‘Hotshot’, the second book in Catherine Mann’s ‘Dark Ops’ series even better than the first for one main reason: Vince “Vapor” DeLuca...he’s positively yummy! The romance in “Hotshot” is much steamier than in “Defender”, which was another added bonus for me!
The military themed ‘Dark Ops’ romantic suspense series features a squadron of undercover test pilots, with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise, engaging in top secret missions to save the day (and the girl).
The operation in “Hotshot” involves Major Vince “Vapor” DeLuca being tasked with assuming the role of bodyguard for his former mentor’s daughter, Shay Bassett, who’s a nurse at a Cleveland youth center that’s overrun with gang violence. It seems Shay is scheduled to speak at a Congressional hearing to beseech for more funding, and that a terrorist group recruiting gang members for their own agenda wants to keep her quiet...permanently. Vince’s team is assigned to bring down the terrorist group and his mission is to protect Shay. Of course there’s a complication in that Vince and Shay share a volatile, unresolved history from when they were troubled teens together 17 years ago that makes it impossible for them to keep things platonic.
Former bad boy biker, test pilot Vince “Vapor” “Hotshot” DeLuca is a ‘Major’ (no pun intended) hottie! He’s got the whole big, hard body, shaved head, Ray-Bans, tattoos, biker bad-ass thing going on, but yet he’s funny, tender, sweet, protective without being overbearing, patient, and thoughtful, and he recognizes the good thing that he and Shay have together pretty quick and is determined to hold on to her this time around.
“Hotshot” is a great romantic suspense and a quick read at only 280 pages with equal parts action, suspense, and steamy romance with a sexy former biker bad boy turned flyboy and a strong heroine. I’m looking forward to Tech Sergeant Mason “Smooth” Randolph’s story in book three “Renegade” that’s slated for release in January 2010. 4.5 stars! -
A solid read from Catherine Mann. I enjoyed meeting Vince in Defender and was looking forward to reading more about him. I liked both His & Shay's character. On the outside both appeared to be strong but underneath they had their insecurities and problems that life throws at them.
I would have given this a 5 star except that I expected sparks to be coming off them a lot sooner than it did. These two characters had known each other since they were kids and had apparantly loved each other and felt the buzz attraction back then but when they meet up again as adults we get nearly half way through the book before they/we notice those sparks. I would have expected to be reading about it a lot sooner even if they didn't act upon it! I would have also liked to have caught up a bit more with Jimmy & Chloe (from first book Defender) and to see how they were getting on.
I felt that the book was too short - I really wish Ms Mann would write more pages as I really feel that it would have added to the story! -
Her books are just too short! Hotshot was a super book, reminiscent of Cindy Gerard and others who usually write about SEALS or Spec Ops but Ms. Mann's specialty is the Air Force flyboy. Half the fun of each book she writes is learning how her men get their nicknames!
Hotshot and his crewmates fly top-secret AF test planes, and before you think that doesn't sound too sexy or dangerous, pay attention to the flight of the Mach 6 (hint: its six times faster than Mach 1). They also get to try out new radar, missles, payload delivery systems, intel gathering communications equipment,etc. Major Vince "Vapor" DeLuca aka Hotshot is to watch a civilian in this one, however.
Shay Bassett is the daughter of the man who rescued Vince from life on the streets, and he remembers her as the one to stay away from. Now she runs a community center in the worst part of Cleveland and concentrates on stopping gang activity. Shay is heading to D.C. to testify before Congress about gangs and her estranged father feels she needs protection. That's how Hotshot arrives in Cleveland.
I liked Vince and I also liked Shay. The other crew members and especially their wives are a hoot. But the real stars of this book are the young gangbangers. Life in a gang is something most of us are so distanced from that it is almost surreal, evidenced only by the tagging we see. Ms. Mann's research into gangs is responsible for so much emotion on my part because as I read this book, I was teaching basic Carpentry to a dozen kids here in San Antonio; I learned first-hand that the gang lifestyle is so pervasive and revered because it allows young men and women to feel powerful and connected. One kid said, "you may be the boss here in the class, but outside I'm the boss". Argh! Enough.
This book was up to the usual standards of Catherine Mann, who is a regular 4 star author for me. -
Good book, but nothing very exciting. The gang plot just did not do it for me - I found my eyes glazing over in several areas of the book. I did enjoy the relationship between Vince and Shay though. Definitely had some sizzle and I liked their snarky banter. Would have enjoyed some more info on Jimmy & Chloe (from the first book
Defender) - all this book told us is that they were still together. I've ordered the next book in the series
Renegade so I'll definitely keep going with the series, I just hope there is a little more substance. -
After reading the captivating "Defender", I couldn't wait to read the next book in Catherine Mann's "Dark Ops" series. I was practically salivating when I checked "Hotshot" out of the library and pretty much tore into it the moment I got the kids to bed. Oy! Was I in for a bad night...
This novel is Major Vince "Vapor" Deluca's story. Vince gets a text from his mentor, CIA agent Don Bassett, saying that his daughter (whom Vince was in love with as a teenager) is in danger. Vince immediately takes leave from his Air Force Dark Ops unit to help in any way he can. Now all grown up, former wild child Shay Bassett, who runs a community center for troubled teens and a suicide hotline, finds herself up to her ass in gang warfare and (unbeknownst to her) a terrorist plot.
Though it was an interesting story about survival and love and redemption, it was quite often so depressing and disturbing and violent that I couldn't even even remotely enjoy it. The only reason I read it to the end was because I needed some sort of closure and was hoping for a semi/sorta happy ending, which I got even though it was bittersweet.
Because "Defender" was so good, I'm gonna give CM's next book, "Renegade", a shot. Hopefully it won't be as damn depressing as "Hotshot". -
HOO BOY!!! Was this ever SMOKIN HAWT... oh wait maybe its because in addition to Major Vince Deluca being a MAJOR HOTTIE, he's also Hispanic and y'all know i turn to goo for that.... I must admit this story had waaayyyyy more steam factor than
Defender, the first book in the Dark Ops series, and BOY DID I LOVE THAT!! So far i'm 2 for 2; finished the first 2 books in Catherine Mann's Elite Force series and now the first 2 books in the Dark Ops series, can't wait to move on to the next book! -
When I read this book I didn't realise it was part of a series until halfway through and saw it was book two in the Dark Ops series. I enjoyed the book and the interaction between Shay and Vince especially as they had a history from their teen years and it has been a while since they've seen each other.
I love how the intensity that they felt for each other when they were younger and never acted on is still there and explosive as the tension builds. This is a good sexy read. I also loved the banter between the Dark Ops guys, so much so, I'm going to go back to book one and read the whole series. -
It was pretty good, I loved Vince he was great.
The plot is kinda predictable but still fun too read.
I really liked the characters ,they were fun to get to know .
Vince and Shay are totally perfect for each other ,I really liked how their story played out.
I really liked the side story with Don and Lina ,they were really interesting characters and I was kinda hoping that they would have a longer story ,it was still good even tho it was short.
All in All I enjoyed reading this book,it was a little slow at first but it really picked up after about 35 pages . -
I don't know what problem I have with CM books but I always have to force myself at the beginning because I don't feel involved just from the start. It's like a slower furnace getting hotter slowly.
But in the end the book is really great. Vance "Vapor" and Shay were friends, with a very troubled youth but Vance had been rescued by Shay's father and now is a pilot. She works with troubled teens and they have to work together against a terroristic alarm that involves some of Shay's teen.
A bit low on the passion rate but really good!
Onto the next one -
An ok read, an ok series. Catherin Mann's Elite Forces Series - Cover Me bk 1 was an overall better read. The story and romance much more interesting, the characters more likeable. Look forward to bk 2 of that series.
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A priori con todos los ingredientes para que fuera una novela de las que más me gustan, no consigue engancharme del todo. Se me ha hecho fria y algo pesada a pesar de que la trama terrorista y de bandas parecia muy atractiva.
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Great! It's nice to see this issue handed so insightfully.
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Great book!!!
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Love Catherine Mann. Love her heroes, love her heroines, love her plots. LOVE the chemistry in this book.
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Hmmm...well, I liked it, but not near as much as the first book in the series. The heroine was on my nerves for the majority of the book and by the time she finally came around, I was past caring.
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I just couldn't get into this book.
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I didn't enjoy this one as much, mainly because they we're separated from the others for most of the book.
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couldn't get past first chapter.
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Fast paced, action packed, heart string puller.
