REVIEW: Last Man Standing (Black Ops Inc. #7) by Cindy Gerard

 

Author: Cindy Gerard

Series: Black Ops Inc.

Pages: 323

Publisher: Pocket Star

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Amazon: Last Man Standing

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

A deadly mission.
A thirst for revenge.
One headstrong alpha hero and one daring woman will settle the score.

Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante. His mission: avenge his Black Ops, Inc., brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone. He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead.

Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relationship, but he can’t stop her now from executing his escape. Breaking him out of prison is the easy part. After Joe’s explosive theory pans out and his cunning enemy emerges as the front runner for a high-level presidential appointment, he and Stephanie must race to derail the traitor’s conspiracy if they are to save their loved ones, the nation, and each other.

REVIEW: 4.5 out of 5 stars

** May contain spoilers

I must admit I am sad to see one of my all time favorite series come to an end, I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the Black Ops Inc. books and Cindy Gerard is certainly on my insta-buy list.

Last Man Standing is Special Operative ‘Mean’ Joe Green’s book, former CIA and a member of Black Ops Inc. He has started distancing himself from his teammates and the woman he loves, Stephanie Tomkins to make a trip to Sierra Leone to investigate the death of former friend and fellow operative Bryan Tomkins who he believes died under unusual circumstances.

When Joe arrives in Sierra Leone, he is set up and framed for a murder he didn’t commit, he is taken prisoner where he is starved and beaten daily and there is no reprieve or rescue in sight since other members of BOI are away on missions and the Americans have not been in contact.

Stephanie works as a cryptologist and after receiving details from a work colleague of Joe’s imprisonment; she manages to obtain fake documents and heads straight to Sierra Leone to assist Joe despite him stating his feelings or lack thereof prior to his leaving.

I absolutely loved Stephanie in Last Man Standing, she stood up and took charge; she used her own resources to break Joe out of prison and protected him every step of the way, he was weakened by his ordeal and she was the dominant force in the relationship and getting them back to safety.

Now Joe, I adored but why oh why would he do what he did without the BOI’s as back-up, they have always treated each other as brothers so why he didn’t trust or confide in them had me stumped.

I enjoyed seeing Joe and Stephanie work together to make the person responsible for Bryan’s death pay for what they had done, but it wasn’t without drama, suspense, action and intrigue which I found thoroughly entertaining; I liked seeing Joe open up and reveal more of himself to Stephanie along the way.

We don’t see as much of the other guys or their respective partners in this book but we are given a wonderful epilogue updating us on each of their progress, the Tomkins annual reunion I always enjoy.

As with all Ms Gerards books, the writing is amazing, the plot solid and enjoyable, the action ongoing and the men and women she writes about characterized to perfection.

I can’t wait to read more books by Cindy Gerard and I have my fingers crossed they will feature ‘Primetime’ Mike Brown or his brother Ty.

Books in order:

1. Show No Mercy

2. Take No Prisoners

3. Whisper No Lies

4. Feel the Heat

5. Risk No Secrets

6. With No Remorse

7. Last Man Standing