Wild Card
by Lora Leigh
(Elite Ops # 1)
First things first, yes you probably know already how I feel about the new cover of this book. If you didn't read our cover post earlier this week, you can find it here.
The Elite Ops series is a spin off of Lora Leigh's Tempting Seals, however if you didn't read that series you can still enjoy WILD CARD. That's actually how I originally read it although now I do recommend that people read the series in order since the story about the hero of this book (Nathan Malone) starts in the previous series and you would know why he is in the situation he finds himself at the beginning of this book.
In the previous series they were trying to bring down a drug lord and Nathan had actually been captured and drugged with a new substance that made him extremely horny to the point of pain and forced to be with women. He was tortured to horrible extents. He was put through hell.
His team finally gets to rescue him after a long time of this and they can't believe he's alive. He was actually declared dead, they had a funeral, his wife mourned him. Now that he's back, even though with a new face, he wants his wife back but he is a changed man. The love between Nathan and Bella is a thing of beauty. It was strong even after death, even after torture.
When Nathan comes back in his wife's life he does so as Noah Blake, mechanic. Noah is the man Nathan thought he could never be. He's dangerous, a bad boy, lethal where Nathan was sweet and tender. And even though I love both sides of him, I do have a thing for Noah. Sex on the desk at Bella's office? HOT. Sex on the floor by the fire? SCORCHING! Noah was Nathan's opportunity to truly express his desires, even some light BDSM and plenty of dirty talking, that he was always too scared of showing.
There is still danger, action and mystery but WILD CARD is above all a beautiful love story of two people that can love each other through the hardest obstacles and overcome them. This is probably one of Lora Leigh's best romantic suspense books. And of course, a perfect introduction to the Elite Ops series!
| Barnes and Noble
Even though this was the start of a new series I have always thought of it more as the last of the Seals series. That series was a work of art for me. Those three books are sooo worn from so many readings. And I cannot tell you how many time's I drooled over Clint and Kell and Ian's covers. When I saw the new cover for Wild Card I was not a happy camper and I had the same conversation with my blog partner that you had that they are taking the 50 thing to far. I thought Clint, Kell and Ian's cover were dead on for what they looked like - Nathan's not quite but I still love the cover. These two series were a great homage to the excellent writing that Lora used to do and here is hoping her new Nauti Girls series finds her back to her old self.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for the same Cindy!! I don't really care much for her new Midnight series and I had high hopes when the first book was announced. I do hope the Nauti Girls is good!! And yeah, don't get me started about the covers. Nathan yes, I would've loved to see more of Noah coming through on the cover but I still prefer that to the dog tag.
ReplyDeleteFrancesca
This is absolutely one of my favorite Leigh books I have bought the paperback about three times and a computer copy too. It's a beautiful story between the hero/heroine AND the story ARC/thriller part is pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteWere there missing scenes à la Navarro's Promise??
ReplyDeleteI thought I was losing my mind to have forgotten reading an entire smex scene only to find out out that it wasn't me, it was her.
I've almost gone off Lora Leigh thanks to that book. Please tell me this one is like vintage Lora Leigh books that I can buy and love!!!
@Ladyacct, yes to everything. I'm kind of sad that I only had the ebook and now I'm not sure if I'll still be able to get the paperback with the old cover. :(
ReplyDelete@Pal0z, this is actually an older Lora Leigh book just being re-released now with a new cover. So yes, it had the old Lora Leigh writing that made us all love her. If you haven't read this series then I'd recommend it.
Francesca
I haven't read any of her books, but I do love the idea of military spec ops heroes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review!
Sophia Rose, the older books are a much better place to start then the brand new ones. This is still part of that old school stuff that was still great. ;)
ReplyDeleteFrancesca
I love this series and book; Nathan Malone is one of my favourites!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm yes Nathan is pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteFrancesca
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