Proving Ground

The Northstar Security Series, Book 1

By: Stanalei Fletcher

Narrated by: Charles Henderson Norman

"Proving Ground is an intriguing story filled with tension. A strong debut." - New York Times best-selling author Laura Griffin

Screw-ups don’t get second chances. That’s what Caitlin Malone believes when she returns to Oregon after failing her first Northstar Security assignment. When she inadvertently stumbles across a plot to steal deadly pathogens from the bio-lab near her hometown, she sees a chance at redemption.

USDA Forest Ranger John ‘Mac’ MacAlistair doesn’t want to babysit the motorcycle club holding their annual rally in his national forest. To make matters worse, Caitlin is attending the rally with Mac’s estranged uncle. Having her home again brings up feelings that are better left buried.

It’s early September. Any spark will send the dry timber into a raging fire. The terrorists are counting on that distraction to work in their favor. When Caitlin is trapped by the wildfire, her only hope of rescue is pinned on Mac, the man she's tried two years to forget. Before they can share their feelings, Mac and Caitlin must first escape the burning forest and stop the terrorists from releasing the deadly pathogens.

©2015 Stanalei Fletcher (P)2018 Stanalei Fletcher

action filled

This story has a little of everything. There is lost love, suspense, HEA. The narrator h as a very deep voice, so it was a little harder for him to perform the female voices, but he did it. He did a great job over all.

If you like a story filled with action and suspense you will want to read this one.

the right amount of everything

I have to say this book was quite interesting the romance was in the right amount for a suspense book it wasn't too much I don't know how to explain it but sometimes authors mix a lot of genres but this book made me enjoyed the storyline very much very enjoyable book

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Great Twisted Tale of Second Chances

This was a strong story filled with many plot twists and the difficult family relations that often plague people. Getting caught in an inferno that is a forest fire adds to the complications involved in this HEA. The ultimate results are told in detail and the sense of excitement is included in every chapter. I got this ARC via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. The narrator was great and did wonders with the story.

LAYERS OF WONDERFUL

This is the first book in the Northstar Security series. It is yet to be seen if they will need to be read in the order of release.

I liked how this story was all about Caitlin not being perfect. Sure, she’s beautiful (, fit, and thin), but she’s got major issues in her family, love life, and career. Isn’t that a reminder to not judge the book by the cover?

Then there was the hint of paranormal with Caitlin’s second sight. Some believe in those things. Some don’t. I’m definitely in the first group, so this added a little layer of extra for me.

The relationship between Caitlin and Mac is sweet, frustrating, and sexy. I’m still smiling, but also would love to just smack him upside the head while I laugh at him. Ultimately, it was another terrific layer to a suspense-filled trek through the woods.

My final analysis: a few giggles and gasps in a thrill of a tale. I’m looking forward to reading (listening to) the next book in this series! Are we continuing in Washington DC with another agent, or another assignment with Caitlin?

Narration: The narrator is wonderful. His voice is soothing. I liked how he was able to convey the urgency of the dramatic scenes without causing undue stress to this driver. It was a perfect combination.

I do want to make a note about the listenability. There are no raw sex scenes, but there is swearing and adult situations making it unsuitable for little ears or co-workers.

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: PROVING GROUND
Series: Northstar Security #1
Category /Genre: Romantic Suspense
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Stanalei Fletcher (as an Audible gifted copy)

Northstar for the Star Crossed Lovers

Fast, energetic read about 2 individuals who grow up like brother and sister only to eventually realize that it is something more. The part about the pathogens is really kind of scary, since our world is so full of crazy folks, that it sort made me think of the "what ifs" that could happen should this really occur. The read was really fast, which made it a little more challenging to visualize the scenery and everything that the author was trying to portray, but all in all the narrator did a decent job. I am looking forward to Book 2, to find out more about Caitlyn and Max and how their relationship grows or doesn't.

I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Rekindled..

This story centers around the female lead, Cait, and the male lead, John Mac.

They have a two year history that they try to put on the back burner even though their feelings are steadily simmering.

The two leads are perfect for each other.

Overall, this was a fast paced likeable read.

Charles Henderson Norman did well with the narration.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."

Proving Ground

This is usually not the type of book I would listen/read but I found that it was not bad once I got into the story.
The main character did annoy me at times with the decision she made but other then that it was not a bad read.

Promising first book in a series

Several of my friends have been encouraging me to read Stanalei Fletcher’s Northstar Security Services books. I have them all, but I rarely have time to sit and read, so they were sitting quietly on my e-reader, patiently waiting. When I saw the first book was on audio? I pounced.

I want to address the narration first because it was problematic for me. Now, I understand that often authors have little or no control on who they are able to secure as a narrator. Given that the character of Caitlin Malone was clearly the main character, I was expecting a female narrator. Now, Sandra Brown uses male narrators for her thrillers, so I have heard this done. And Charles Henderson Norman was perfectly competent. He mispronounced a few words, but that’s me being picky. Certainly the errors didn’t pull me too far out of the story. Putting his work in context, I believe he did a good job. I certainly won’t hesitate to listen to another book narrated by him.

I love the romantic suspense subgenre of romance and this book was a good example of what can make a book enjoyable. I love kick-ass heroines and Caitlin is just such a woman. Occasionally she does questionable things, but she admits her mistakes and owns up to them, accepting the consequences. Winding up back in her hometown, on her father’s doorstep, is not her idea of fun. It is the true punishment it is meant to be.

But going home is never simple. She almost immediately runs into John “Mac” MacAlistair, the man she once gave her heart and body to. It turns out he’s been staying with her father and wants her to reunite with her estranged father. And Caitlin wants Mac to give Jack a chance for redemption. Mac blames his Uncle Jack for the death of Mac’s parents and hasn’t spoken to the man since.

Against this backdrop, there is a massive forest fire, a lethal virus, a terrorist, and a loving husband whose wife is dying. The synopsis of the book gives the reader a good idea of all the elements of the book, but the twists and turns are what draw the reader in. There are frequent point of view changes, and although they are clearly delineated, the listener has to pay attention. I liked that I got different people’s perspectives on this situation. Often in romance you only get the hero and heroine’s points of view. This book, as a suspense, benefits from showing diverse characters’ inner motivations and conflicts.

I enjoyed the book. Charles Henderson Norman’s Irish brogue was great and the story carried me through. Did I find all Caitlin’s actions realistic? Not necessarily, but that’s the great thing about fiction. I can’t wait to listen to the next book!

Lots of action, suspense and romance!

This was a pretty quick read for me but alot of action packed into those hours! Alot happens and it keeps you on the edge wondering what will happen next.
Caitlin Malone fails her first big job with Northstar Security and is sent home by her boss where she finds her father in the hospital and the man she loved and had fled from years before still a big presence in her hometown.
Mac grew up with Caitlin and loved her like a sister, or so he wants to. He is fighting the feelings he has for her and her coming home is making matters worse. There is a terrorist mixed in with a bunch of bikers meeting on the mountain of their hometown. The same mountain a Bio-lab is on with deadly pathogens. Its late in the year so the forest is dry and any spark could set the whole forest ablaze. And it does. In a really big way. Caitlin is hurt and trapped by the fire but she is a fighter and wont give up. All her hopes of surviving are relying on what Mac taught her about the forest years ago while waiting on him to show up and rescue her.
When he finally helps her they must escape the inferno themselves. I love how Caitlin is one tough woman and doesn't complain about her rather serious injuries or really mentions some of them until they are safe. I love the story line of this and how quickly paced everything is. There is lots of action, suspense, mystery and romance. Greatly balanced and a great read!

I requested and was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review with my honest opinion.

Ok Story!!!

This book got off to a slow start. I couldn't connect with the characters. I didn't feel the chemistry between Mac and Caitlin. Caitlin didn't make the best decisions when it came to her job or safety.

This audiobook was provided to me by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchanged for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.