⚖️ “Wild Lies” (Justiss Alliance #5) (2022)⚖️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
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“Working together, hiding secrets, and fighting attraction…
Rathmusen Blackwood, aka Rath, rode off into the sunset on his Harley after a SEAL team mission went deadly wrong and the media dubbed his unit the “Rogue Six.” But he didn’t leave behind the anger that’s pushing him toward his father’s destructive legacy. He needs to find the truth and avenge his comrades in order to prove his worth to his family…and maybe to himself. The mole who fed the U.S. lethally false information is hiding in dangerous cartel territory in Mexico, so Rath breaks into the secluded house where intel says Dan is staying. Instead, he finds Dan’s beautiful daughter, Neesa, who’s risking her life to find her father. Since she thinks Rath is the agent sent to help her, he goes along. He can learn more about his target and keep Neesa safe in hostile territory.
Neesa has been desperately searching for her father, dealing with questionable informants while waiting for the help the U.S. government has been promising. Rath, however, looks more like a narco than he does an agent, but he proves himself capable when she’s attacked. Neesa’s not sure exactly what happened at the anti-cartel compound with the SEALs, though she believes her father’s an innocent victim…except for one small thing that worries her, one she keeps from Rath.
As they navigate the treacherous world of narcos, holding back information from each other, the chemistry igniting between them grows hotter and trickier. They follow Dan’s trail, and as their secrets come to light, including her father’s, they are drawn deeper into mystery, danger, and a love neither could have imagined…”
Thank you in advance to Kate Rock Book tours for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
First of all, while I LOVE the romantic-suspense genre, I have been (as of late) trying to keep things “clean” with my reading. While I am not knocking an author’s use of certain things (language and explicit scenes) – it is definitely not my preference.
Those looking for a clean read won’t find it with this novel. And, as I am new to Wainscott’s writing – I don’t know if this is her usual style. I do know that the previous books seemed to toy with LGBTQ and BDSM themes. The previous book, Wild Ties, definitely had BDSM themes.
This book, while not having explicit sex scenes, does have one scene on page. It is not graphically described, but the scene leaves little doubt in readers’ mind. The cover is steamy, though the book it not as “steamy” as it could’ve been based on the cover.
There is some explicit language in this book:
Crap
Variations of the “F” word
Variations of the “s” bomb
While the word “damn” is used, I don’t have a problem with that. That is, in some circles, more like “barnyard” language. The word “dang” is used and I find it amusing among the other words. While I know some people curse, there are some who don’t like to read it. This “content warning” is solely for them. I know some bad reviews tend to center on language, sex scenes, sexuality, and religion.
There are going to be references to domestic violence and kidnapping in this book.
This is told from three POVs – Rath, Neesa, and Neesa’s father Dan. Dan’s POV doesn’t come in until about chapter 14. It was interesting to have his POV given his “duplicity” earlier in the series.
While some might think the stories can work as standalones, I think readers would greatly benefit from reading them in order as it is part of a series. I definitely would’ve enjoyed seeing where the “team” got started. Wild on You combines the first “story” (Wild Hearts, a novella with the origins of the SEAL team) with Risk’s story (the main part of Wild on You).
Rath was among others dubbed “the Rogue 6” – a group of Navy SEALS (Risk, Saxby, Julian, Rath, and Knox) who were sent into a black ops assignment where no one knew the full story of deceit and deception. The situation got ugly. The press got involved … and I think we all know the rest.
This is Rath’s story.
As I haven’t read the previous books, I don’t know much about the other guys. Knox from Wild Ties shows up near the end to help Rath. By the end of the book, the other characters and their ladies have also shown up.
Obviously, given what Rath has been through – both in his personal and professional lives – he’s a walking dumpster fire. Still, there is a compassion about him.
Neesa was definitely a strong woman, but still displayed some vulnerabilities. She was far too trusting, and knew her own weaknesses. She was my favorite character overall.
Before leaving for Mexico, for personal reasons, Rath is dealing with his father and older brother, Sam. And, Rath is hoping to extricate his younger brother Carlton from the mess of the family. In addition, there is a lawsuit against Rath’s father and uncle due to faulty guns from their company that have caused several injuries. It is clear Rath, Sam, and their father have a ROCKY relationship.
He doesn’t have time for their troubles though, and heads to Mexico. He’s hoping after he finds the mole, he can take his younger brother and leave Tennessee. He finally has a lead on Dan Federson, Neesa’s father, the man he blames for the botched raid. He doesn’t count on finding Neesa who is there looking for her father who has been missing for six (6) months. Thinking Rath is there to help, she’s grateful. He’ll play along … for a bit.
Rath, unlike his teammates, cannot move on with his life and has resisted joining the Justiss Alliance. His only goal – find Dan and clear his name.
Neesa, despite being a trauma counselor, she has her own nightmares and trauma. Still, she has to know what happened to her father.
Rath is honest with her and Neesa can’t believe that her father would have been involved – he wouldn’t have endangered women and children. The reader will learn why during one of Neesa’s nightmares. And, that “why” ties into Dan’s complicit acts with regard to the botched raid.
Still, Rath can’t leave Neesa on her own. Neesa doesn’t know how much she can trust Rath with.
From there, the action takes off leaving Rath and Neesa on the move to find her father – or what happened to him. Of course, the people they run into – less than trustworthy, or at best can only be trusted to a point. Everyone seemingly has their own agenda.
As usual, given the close proximity, Neesa and Rath start developing feelings for each other. This leads to one mutual “encounter”, a buffer for all the action and intensity. It isn’t sex for the sake of sex – it truly is an innocent moment between two traumatized people.
Of course, Neesa learns why Rath is really down there and of her dad’s complicity in Rath’s fall from grace. Both Neesa and Rath soon discover what revenge and obsessions can ultimately lead to, and how dangerous the truth can be.
The plot was definitely exciting and intense, on par with an action movie. Wainscott draws the action and story to nearly the end and definitely held my attention. There was a twist I didn’t see coming; actually two, with one being a “redemptive” moment for a minor character. The romance was, given the situation, more of a slow wind-up than a “whirlwind”.
The ending was formulaic, as is most anything with a romance in it. There are some light-hearted moments in this to offset the danger and the brutality.
I ended up finishing this in five (5) days. For a book of this length, I usually read them in 2-3 days, then again, I was on a post-holiday lull.
While the language was a slight part of the rating drop, I have issues with unresolved plot lines. One was the the lawsuit against Rath’s father and uncle’s gun company. It is heavily mentioned in the beginning, but after about 25-30% into the story it disappears, it only comes back when Carlton is injured. And, by the end of the story – it is gone again.
I would’ve liked SOME conclusion to that plot point. I don’t know if the author has concluded the series or has another story in the works to wrap it up.
The other plot issue was the mention of the “rogue 6”, yet only five members are in the Justiss Alliance. The circumstances surrounding the member who was killed isn’t completely resolved. There was NO mention of the member’s name, family, or the details. Perhaps this is in the first book, which leads me back to the fact – these should be read in order.
Other than that, it was an enjoyable read.
Fans of the author and those who’ve read the previous books will definitely want to pick this one up when it releases later in January.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other books in the Series:
Publisher: Independently Published (August 21, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1687377049
ISBN-13: 978-1687377043
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“Meet the Justiss Alliance: Risk, Rath, Saxby, Knox, and Julian. Led by a mysterious employer with plenty to hide, these fallen stars of the D.O.D. are about to take advantage of their ruined reputations and start turning wrongs to rights—no matter the cost.
Wild Hearts: Five impeccably trained soldiers—used to danger, unafraid of death—are sent into a black ops assignment where no one knows the full story of deceit and deception. The situation gets ugly. The press gets wind. Someone has to take the fall. And when these five SEALs fall, they fall hard.
Wild On You: One untamable SEAL meets a woman who handles the wildest sort of animals—until she herself becomes the hunted.
When Rick Yarbrough, aka Risk, a discharged SEAL with a taste for danger, joins the Justiss Alliance, his first assignment seems like a baby-sitting gig: He must guard an out-of-control general’s daughter. Then he meets his charge.
Addie Wunder is no baby. She’s a dedicated animal-rights activist who isn’t above breaking the law if innocent creatures are threatened. But her work has made her a lot of powerful enemies. If she doesn’t stop, she may just turn herself into an endangered species.
Risk’s mission is to keep Addie out of trouble. But as they grow closer, Addie becomes so much more than a job. And the more he has to lose, the more Risk is willing to put his own life on the line—for her cause, her safety, and her sweet-hot embrace.”
Series: Justiss Alliance (Book #2)
Paperback: 333 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (August 22, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1687379742
ISBN-13: 978-1687379740
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“When Mollie Reagan's sister, Diana, rides off into the sunset with a member of the Kings of Chaos motorcycle gang, she is beyond worried. Two weeks later, a desperate call from Di is abruptly cut off, launching Mollie on a dangerous search.
Before Julian Cuevas receives his first assignment for the Justiss Alliance, he finds one of his own: a beautiful, courageous woman looking for her sister in the dark world of violent criminals. Soon Mollie’s mission is Julian’s mission—one he’d give his life for.
Mollie is used to going it alone. Trusting one stranger is hard enough, but Julian brings a whole team from the private “security” firm he works for. The sexy SEAL is living proof that some people can be counted on, even if her savior is a well-armed world-class sniper riding in on his Harley. From head to toe, Julian is a lethal weapon—and now he’s taking aim at fulfilling Mollie’s every desire.”
Publisher: Independently Published (August 22, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1687382174
ISBN-13: 978-1687382177
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“The only commitment Saxby Cole has ever made is to the SEALs. He follows a long line of Southern charmers who swear monogamy isn’t in their blood. He’s never met a woman who made him want to swear his allegiance—until, while undercover for a Justiss Alliance assignment, he finds a woman who makes him think twice.
When Jennessy Shaw’s boyfriend dumps her right before their vacation to a hedonistic Caribbean resort, she goes without him to explore her wild side. Throwing caution to the wind, she propositions Saxby—only to suffer his gentle rejection.
When she wakes in Saxby’s room with no memory of the night before, Jennessy discovers his real purpose: to sniff out an operation where women like her are drugged and prostituted to resort guests. She goes from victim to his investigative partner . . . but getting too close to the sexier-than-sin Saxby may be her wildest move yet.”
Publisher: Independently Published (February 18, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8711199304
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“Undercover & All Tied Up!
Knox Logan and Vivi Sommers are the closed down and contentious members of the Justiss Alliance team, which makes them perfect to portray a troubled married couple while investigating human trafficking at a BDSM therapy club in New Orleans. As Knox and Vivi explore their intimacy issues through the center’s unconventional methods, fantasy and reality enticingly twist…and the danger becomes all too real.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tina Wainscott has always loved the combination of suspenseful chills and romantic thrills. Losing her nephew, a marine, in Afghanistan made her realize military men are perfect heroes. Not only during the war but also once they’re home, as they try to stitch their lives and souls together. And so was born the Justiss Alliance, an agency where these men can find purpose, honor, and love outside the war zone.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinawainscottbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_wainscott/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Tina_Wainscott
Website: https://tinawainscott.com/
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