From NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Mandy M. Roth comes the much anticipated New & Lengthened Anniversary Edition of Critical Intelligence
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Paranormal Shifter Military Special Ops Romance
When loyalties are questioned and bonds forged, the Immortal Ops find themselves fighting a war to guard not only their secrets, but their lives as well.
Missy Carter leads a rather boring, overworked life as a system analyst for the State Department or rather, that’s what she lets everyone believe. In reality her life is anything but boring. As a Shadow Agent with the Paranormal Security and Intelligence, she’s seen and done it all. Intelligence is her specialty, assassination is her hobby. The only problem is that the things she spies on don’t die easily. In fact, some of them were dead to begin with. She’s learned to handle anything life can throw at her. That is until the biggest paramilitary pain her backside shows up again. Lucky for him, he’s good looking.
Roi Majors, wolf-shifter and second in command of the I-Ops, is having a hard time believing that Intel can only get half the information needed to bring down an underground ring of vampires with big-spending backers who are hell-bent on creating a race of supernaturals with multiple strands of DNA in them. When he finds himself paired with the one woman in the world who seems immune to his self-proclaimed charms, he can’t wait to see her to safety and then bid her good riddance. He never counted on falling in love with her. And he sure in the hell never counted on her claiming to be an agent with a branch of the government no human should know about.
NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Mandy M. Roth® loves 80s music and movies and wishes leg warmers would come back into fashion. She also thinks the movie The Breakfast Club should be mandatory viewing for…okay, everyone. When she’s not dancing around her office to the sounds of the 80s, she’s busy writing paranormal operatives and kick-butt urban fantasy heroines. Mandy lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her husband and three boys. She has sold over 2 million books. Mandy has published with Harlequin, Random House/ Virgin Books, numerous small presses, and has had an amazingly successful indie career. She’s had bestselling books in a multitude of categories and genres at Amazon, Nook, Google Play, Apple Books, and Kobo.
The following ratings are out of 5: Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘 World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎 Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻♀🧔🏻👩🏻
The heroine:Melissa Carter (a.k.a. Missy) - Best friend of Peren (Lukian’s mate from the first book in the series. Missy is aware of the supernatural and knows that she is not a normal human though she can’t talk about it with her friends for some reason. She is a “Systems Analyst for the State Department”.
The Hero(es):Major Geoffroi Majors (a.k.a. Roi) - Brother to Lukian due to the fact that Lukian’s blood was used to create him. He is quite a player and sleeps with different women all the time. He is proud of his bachelor status.
The Story: From the time Roi met Missy, he couldn’t think of anything but her. Though Missy thinks Roi is a pig because he was such a player. However, when it comes out that Missy is on a target list, Roi is determined to protect her.
I don’t understand the Immortal Ops world and have a problem that it wasn’t explained that well in book one. It is obvious that all kinds of supernaturals exist, from shifters of all kinds to vampires, fae and even demons. However, in the first book it was said that geneticists worked with all kinds of DNA to create the members of the Immortal Ops.
I don’t understand why they had to create the members from the blood of Lukian (the king of the shifters in the Northern hemisphere) instead of just recruiting existing supernatural beings. It is never fully explained. It was said that prior to using Lukians blood, there were experiments that created supernaturals that were not quite right. I just wish the world building was a bit better so I understood it more.
Missy is a fierce heroine and I do like strong heroines. Though I am not sure I like it when the female in the story is even stronger than the male. Maybe it is because I have been a single mother for years and have always dreamed of having a man take care of me or at the very least take away some of the burdens at least in my dreams if not in real life.
I found the narration in this one to be better than in the first even though the narrator was the same man. My problem in the last book was that he didn’t seem to use different voices, inflections or accents for different individuals, but he did so in this book, so it was easier to tell which character was talking at any given time. Like book one, this was told mainly in the Hero’s POV and with only one (male) narrator.
This book was also quite a bit more funny than the last one. I was laughing out loud at some parts in this one. It was also scorchingly hot and the relationship between Roi and Missy was contentious and sensuous. All in all I am liking this series more and more.
Critical Intelligence is a lot longer than the first book in the series. This has a more developed plot and more action. What I don't like is that they have too much love/hate relationship, though I understand its in their nature. Its just too much for me.... 😑
Though the good part is that Missy is amazing, this book was able to show how a woman can be a bad-ass...
Better than the first book. The story was more fleshed out and the characters are better developed. But then there is an unnecessary amount of "miscommunication." For Mates who are supposed to be able to read each others minds Roi and Missy sure do have a lot of unnecessary arguments. It was just so frustrating to read the scene where Melissa is essentially in heat and grinding on him but Roi stops to have what felt like a 20 minute conversation with Green about genetics. It was terrible and instead of resolving the situation the scene just cuts off and all of a sudden there is Lukian talking to the Commander. Weird. Somethings just need to be edited or even reworked entirely. Don't you think that this whole genetics conversation would have been had the moment after Green tested everyone in the first book?
Oh and another pet peeve was the fact that the last six chapters of this book could have each been the ending to the book which was annoying. I was just ready for it to end and the fighting sequence with Missy and Rex and his team of operatives doing an interrogation was so directionally challenged as to be pathetic. I had no sense of the room or why twelve people would be interrogating one person in such a small room. It was nonsense. At best the books in this series seem to be meant more as scripts rather than full fledged books because more often than not the surrounding geography of a a scene is not fleshed out so I have no idea how things are oriented in a room so I make up my own orientation only to find out later there is some element that won't work in it. Let me tell you the guesswork gets annoying fast, as I then have to backtrack and rethink other scenes to help the current one make sense. This read was bordering on exhausting. I am going to continue reading the series though seeing as the books seem to get better with each one I read. Hopefully by the fourth and final book Mandy M. Roth will have worked out her writing style and character development.
I loathe nicknames...especially for grown people! If I had to read one more Missy-bean or Missy-doll! I could have just thrown up. All the testosterone poured in this series and we have to endure the "little woman", no matter how lethal she is, to be belittled with pet names. Unbelievable and unacceptable! The story itself was lacking and at times hard to follow for me. And can you say lack of personal space when ALL of Melissa's dirty laundry is spilled in front of all the I-Ops?! Not cool at all! On my Were Scale of Hotness, 2 stars.
I definitely did not enjoy this one as much as the first one. There was literally like no chemistry between Roi and Missy that I could feel. There was no real development. It honestly seemed pretty toxic to me, which is super disappointing compared to the first book. There was no natural development at all to the story or to the characters, and it honestly was problematic in some places, especially at the end during a scene when Roi literally is having rough sex with Missy to “teach her a lesson” about who “the Alpha is in the relationship” and it honestly made me sick to my stomach and I just cannot condone this type of relationship and I cannot recommend this to anyone.
First I must say that I loved the first book, Luke and Prene were amazing, I loved their chemistry and how they were with each other. Unfortunately I hated the second book, I honestly couldn't stand Missy and felt bad for Roi. I felt their relationship was more toxic than loving. Missy annoyed me so much I found myself wanting to just skip ahead to the next book, she was hot and cold through out the whole book. One minute she's all "I can't stand you, you are an a$$ and the next they are kissing and she think she's in love with him. She treats Roi like crap for most of the book, insults him but then magically with a kiss she's saying she wants him, loves him and to claim her and what does she do when he claims her? She runs away and locks herself in a bathroom so she can "think" because she can't believe he claimed her. I mean what the hell? I Roi is just a poor idiot who does have a tendency to talk without thinking but I felt he was never cruel like she was. Roi deserved a better mate because I honestly saw him as a being stuck with a b!tch for a mate.
If you are going to read Mandy's book read the first in the series. Immortal Ops and Act of Mercy because those are truly decent book but just skip this one because it will just make you want to throw your kindle at the wall.
I'll read the next to books because I bought them in a collection set and hope that they are nothing like Critical Intelligence.
So I really liked Missy character. She had a definite take no shit attitude. I liked how these books are short. We don't get a lot of character development but we get enough to know a little about these people. Also I like how this book was almost a continuation of the first but different characters. I liked learning about Missy's past and how she came to be how she is. She is definitely one of the toughest chicks out there.
Again, I guess it's ok given its length. Although I wished the author spent more time devoted to the world building (which is actually quite interesting) and on character development, instead of between the sheets (which tends to get boring after awhile).
The H is a cringeworthy asshole. He does have one or two MINUTE moments of being MILDLY ok, but I can't remember the last time I've read a H this bad. He's a slut. And he's been a slut for decades and LOVES it. It is THE goal and highlight of his life. I have nothing against sluts if they are doing it because 'they want to' and not because the feel they have to or are unworthy etc. I don't really like to read about lead characters spreading it around once they meet their other half, but it's not the excess of sex or partners that I have a problem with... It's the fact that THE SLUT continuously tries to slut shame his h for having had sex before he came into the picture. WTF! Pretty sure he calls her a whore at one point too. And our 'supa smart, strong, intelligent, powerful' h gets PISSED... and then folds like a wet paper towel and let's him fuck her again... and then he'll say some other ASSHOLE thing that will piss her off, before she folds again.
And like the last book, our supa agents will do supa dumb shit. See a selfie of the bad guys in front of your secret head quarters? No worries, just act surprised when more bad guys ambush you months later cause you didn't have the brains to move. Get info about the h who is an innocent civilian to your knowledge having a capture/kill order on her head? No worries, why don't you just piss about at the bar with her for another hour or two... while you're being your usual asshole self and repeatedly causing her to try and ditch your ass. Have big bad things happening around you that could lead to mayhem and death? No worries, just keep talking in circles, refuse to listen or say anything and misunderstand everything possible! Keep hearing the intelligence op asking if you are team one or team two when you know there's only one team and other random shit like that? No worries, just concentrate on getting your rocks off again, the bad guys will wait.
GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
I did however like background to Melissa's adoption. That was a good one, and the only reason I'm willing to try the next book. Well, that and the fact the the asshole will no longer be front and centre, not sure anything could make me read another book based on him. It's bad enough he'll be in it.
Just as good, if not better version of this book which I loved. "Roi"nd Missy have this chemistry that shows thru the book. Their love story is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. Roi Majors is second in control of the I-Ops and he has no real respect for women. He is a manwhore who thinks there will never be the perfect woman for him. Until her…the woman he recently kidnapped to protect. This woman, Missy Carter, works works as a analyst for the State Department which is such a completely boring job. But there is more to this lil miss than we originally gleam. She presents one front and her secret identity is another. She is a covert agent who also has one more thing she is which sort of shocked me because I didn’t see this about her but yea, I kind of came to see her in this role. She came to Roi’s attention in a big way and ever since Roi cant forget her and knows there is something about this woman that calls to him …because he, being a wolf shifter, knows she is something very important but he is fighting it. While he is fighting this, Missy doesn’t know what to make of him and this attraction they have and she , too, is fighting it. While this is going on, they have bad things going on around them that together, they will need to join forces and fight. They have secrets and lies, betrayal and pain but when they love, they have love and loyalty , beauty and passion all going on
This made for one insane and intense story. I love the supporting cast of characters that helped to enhance this story. My rating: 4.5 stars **** "I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Great second book in the Anniversary series. This series has so much more than the original version. There are two main characters, and 'characters' they are. Melissa, or Missy Carter and Geffroi, Roi, Majors. Roi realizes fairly early in the story that Missy is his mate and spends most of the book, when not fighting villains, trying to convince Missy that they are meant to be immortal mates. Unfortunately, he has much more experience in one-night stands and his smart remarks keep him in hot water with Missy. She is used to overcompensating for her petite stature of 5'3" and lets her aggressive language trip her up too on the way to their HEA. Missy is used to letting her petite size fool the enemy into underestimating her abilities. As she states, her job is to gather intel, her love is to assassinate the bad guys.
The story has several interactions with the villains that make for some tense reading and me staying up too late. As usual, Mandy Roth give us a great adventure, lots of hot sex, villains galore to 'end', and some hints at future mysteries to solve.
Roi and Missy finally get their act together and get their HEA. Now Peren and Lukian are paired off (first book) and Missy and Roi have their HEA. Who will be up next and will it occur before or after their next mission to South America?
Well Done, Mandy Roth! Thank You. I purchased this book.
Ok this book was so much better than the first book in the series. It was more developed than the first book. This is a paranormal romance with Alpha males and kick butt heroines. Geoffroi "Roi" Majors, Immortal Ops (I-Ops) Team Member and Missy Charter had the best chemistry. Oh my gosh I loved this book. Missy an Intelligence Officer was a kiss azz heroine; the best ever. And what she spies on cant easily be killed. I loved how her BFFs, Melanie Daly and Peren Matthews were included in this book. Roi is a finely tuned sexy pain in her azz. But he's hilarious throughout the book. He makes so many asinine and hilarious sarcastic remarks that made me laugh so many times. Missy and Roi complimented each other very well throughout the story. What took this book up a notch is the fact that Missy could kick butt and was just as capable as the alpha males if not better. Awesome action and great banter; what more could you ask for. It was awesome how Missy misleads everyone as to whom and what she is. Makes for a great story. I got my HEA and a baby to boot. On to the next book.
Roi Majors is a wolf shifter working for I-Ops. He's cocky, sexy, and screws any woman that crosses his path. His team of shifters are trying to find Krauss, an evil master mind trying to create the super solider. To locate Krauss, his team gets help from Missy Carter, a tiny little spitfire. Upon realizing Missy is his mate, Roi becomes very protective and constantly puts his foot in his mouth :)
To her friends, Missy Carter has a boring job as a government employee. In reality, she's a Shadow Agent ridding the world of evil supernaturals. When she teams up with Roi, the man whore, she tries really hard to ignore the overprotective jerk. Little does the man whore know, but she's a lethal weapon with many kills under her belt.
I love Mandy Roth's Immortal Ops Series. Her stories have action, laughter and hot sex, what more could you ask for? I was given this ARC for a voluntary review.
I liked this book even better than the first! Although I guess that could be in part to the fact that Roi was my favorite character in the first and this book is all based around him. I am so happy that he did not give up with Missy. Hearing those two banter was comical to say the least. It was like back in grade school when the person you teased was actually someone you liked. We get to see a lot more into the I-ops team and the difficulties they are faced with other departments. Although some of the things are still new to me and how the different kinds of immortals react to different materials, abilities etc, it was a great read. Someone with no previous experience with shifter books would have no issues following the story line. Now you have to read the book and see what ends up happening between Melissa and Roi. A little spoiler, one of them has an ex-spouse and we meet them in this book. This wouldnt be so bad if the other knew they were previously mated.
Roi Majors is the second in command of the I-Ops team. He has no care for chain of command or respect. As far as he is concerned where there is a lady you will find Roi. He loves women, all kinds. Missy Carter is an agent for the Government and does not fall for Roi’s womanizing ways. Deep down she is so taken by him. She worked hard to get where she is and will not allow a man to get in the way, or will she? Her true job is with a shadow agency that humans do not even know exist. Roi is taken by this mysterious woman, can this be his true mate??? Is it even possible to overcome their obstacles and give love a chance? I highly recommend reading all the books in order. I love Mandy’s work.
Shame on me for trying to give this author a second shot. Problem is, I have the same issues with this book as the first. So, I am going to copy/paste my previous review to save myself some time.
This book was a poorly written attempt at being Kresley Cole or Gena Showalter. The world building lacked depth, the characters lacked depth, and I found myself skipping over sections just to see if the story would redeem itself.
It's a story about shifters, and not ONCE did the hero shift. If he did, it was lost in the poor writing.
The romance was weak, the sex was meh, and the story was much too short to be what Ms. Roth was trying to make it.
playboy shifter finds a reluctant mate ...she's as powerful as he is and just as deadly....they both resist the bond...but true mates win every time...No escaping this bond. reread today and the story still thrills.
I so enjoyed watching these two fight the fact that they’re fated. They both have their faults, but I really enjoyed watching them go through all the craziness. And I loved when we found out about their prior connection! I just love reading this series!
This story was better than the first but a little tough to follow. In addition to a complicated network of spies, the hero and heroine spent so much time going back and forth and knowing each other and then being surprised by each other it was a bit fatiguing.
Critical Intelligence is book two of the Immortal Ops series of military paranormal romances.
This is the story of Roi and Missy, who met in book one. Missy knows all about the supernatural beings that Roi and his fellow team members are, yet she hasn't said anything. In fact her whole life is a lie to those that she calls her friends.
Roi can't stop thinking about Missy, she is turning him into a one woman man. When he discovers that she is being targeted by some dangerous beings he and his team swear to protect her, but whose side is Missy really on?
I enjoyed discovering more about Missy and who role in this series, and the story of the Special Ops team continues in the next book in the series.
Esta saga sigue sin convencerme demasiado pero es entretenida y no odio a los personajes. Una de las grandes pegas que le encuentro es que su universo no está bien construido. Sus normas parecen un poco caóticas y a conveniencia de la escritora. Teniendo en cuenta lo cortos que son los libros, tampoco se le puede pedir mucho más.
This was ok. I got bored in the middle but I like the characters. Roi and Missy are typical alphas and constantly fight. The banter was fun. The story had humor, love, sex and angst in.
First, I would like to say -Mandy M.Roth, I love your fantasy and stories..It is quite hard to acquire Your books in my country so I have to do with kindle options.. I had some high expectations for this book, since I like the premise so much, but.. BUT WHAT THE HELL IS THIS???