Storm (Linear Tactical #10) by Janie Crouch-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2020

Breathe in. Breathe out. Survive.

Marilyn Ellis is finally putting her life back together. The domestic abuse she suffered may be labeled textbook by therapists, but it’s the parts she’s never told anyone that haunt her.

She refuses to get trapped in that hell ever again.

Former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey is more than capable of training the delicate single mom in moves and tactics that will help her feel safe. But his own tortured past makes him decidedly less qualified for anything more.

No matter how much her big eyes—and even bigger heart—draw him in.

However, when unexpected danger arrives in their small town, Noah knows this is a woman worth fighting for. Worth fighting beside. And he’s going to be the one to do it.

She needs a hero.
He’ll have to remember how to be one.

••••••••

REVIEW:STORM is the tenth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL romantic suspense story line focusing on the men and women who work for Linear Tactical. This is former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah “Storm’ Dempsey, and women’s shelter manager / single mother Marilyn Ellis’ story line. STORM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. LINEAR TACTICAL runs parallel to, and crosses over with another of the author’s series- RISK EVERYTHING (Bree and Tanner Thriller #4). Noah is Tanner’s brother.

WARNING: Due the to nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Noah and Marilyn) STORM follows the building romance and relationship between former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey, and women’s shelter manager / single mother Marilyn Ellis. Marilyn Ellis is a survivor of domestic abuse. She and her children live and work at the New Journeys’ women’s shelter, a shelter owned and operated by computer specialist Bree Daniels (Bree and Tanner Thriller). Meeting former Special Forces solider Noah Dempsey gave our heroine pause, and thoughts about a potential future but Bree’s safety and that of her children’s is threatened when someone sets the women’s home on fire, and a planned camping trip places everyone in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Noah and Marilyn, and the potential fall-out as Bree’s past returns to destroy her life; and a destination wedding for a fellow Linear Tactical specialist almost never comes to fruition.

Marilyn Ellis survived the beatings to come out stronger for her children and herself but suffers with PTSD and often finds herself caught between reality and panic. Working to shore up her defences with Noah Dempsey finds our heroine falling for a man with demons of his own. Noah Dempsey left the military life behind him, owning a ranch and occasionally working for Linear Tactical but Noah recognizes a kindred soul in Marilyn Ellis, knowing her demons run close to the surface.

The relationship between Marilyn and Noah is one of immediate attraction but neither one was in a place to plan for the future. Marilyn has to think about her children first but it is Noah who will fall in love and offer himself to Marilyn and the family he will call his own. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Bree and Tanner (Bree and Tanner Thriller); Zac and Annie (Cyclone #1) , Trigger and Gillian; (several women and their children living at the shelter. The requisite evil has many faces including Marilyn’s soon to be ex Jared Ellis.

STORM is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and abuse, retribution and revenge. The premise is exciting and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic and colorful. Once again, as in my review of Risk Everything, my only concern is the questionable decision to move forward with a camping trip when threats to everyone’s lives are still in place-a little bit TSTL.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cyclone
Eagle
Shamrock
Angel
Ghost
Shadow
Echo
Phoenix
Baby