TARGET ENGAGED is Book 1 in M.L. Buchman's new Delta Force series. This series peripherally involves characters from the fabulous Night Stalkers series, so there's a nice tie-in, but no knowledge of the Night Stalkers books is needed to thoroughly enjoy this Delta Force tale. Buchman is the new standard by which I base all military romance since discovering him last year. I have devoured everything he has written since I first stumbled upon his books. His detail about military procedures and equipment is fascinating, and serves to make the action so much more believable. I have a problem willingly suspending my disbelief for many other authors' romantic suspense novels, but Buchman nails it in his books. Buchman brings to life the weaponry, helicopters, and discipline that populate these Delta warriors' lives, while keeping the action and the passionate romance at the forefront.

Kyle Reeves meets Carla Anderson when they both are chosen to undergo the selection testing for Delta Force, the toughest military force on the planet. Kyle is a marvelous hero who excels at every endeavor but doesn't let that turn him into a jerk. Once Kyle and Carla are both winnowed from the rest of those trying out (only a stellar five make it out of the original 104 candidates), they celebrate their achievement by starting a rip-roaring sexual affair. Their sexual attraction is volatile and all virtually all-consuming when they are not on a mission together. Kyle seems almost too good to be true, but its easy to be captivated with such a virile and competent man.

Carla frustrates me a little because she is so closed off and completely out of touch with her emotions. But as the daughter of a drunk and abusive dad, and having had her revered older brother and mom killed in combat when she was young, her stoic behavior make sense. Also, as the first woman ever to be admitted to Delta Force, one would expect her to not be very outwardly feminine and also to be very good at blocking emotions, or she would not have gotten so far! While I don't like Carla per se, I definitely root to pull her head out of her behind and commit to the fantastic relationship growing with Kyle. I love the commitment and drive that Carla shows in her quest to achieve a spot in the Delta Force - she's definitely a kick-butt heroine of the first order!

Buchman has catapulted his way to the top tier of my favorite authors, and his latest release only reinforces his high ratings in my opinion chart. TARGET ENGAGED has everything I need to keep me enthralled. A sexy alpha male who's an honest-to-God good guy, helping everyone around him be their best, a kick-butt heroine engaged in some heart-stopping adventures with the hero, and off-the-chart steaminess in their explosive romance.

Book Summary

Book 1 in M.L. Buchman's thrilling NEW Delta Force series

Delta Force: The most dangerous elite counter-terrorism force on the planet

• The deadliest shooters •

• The most out-of-the-box thinkers in any military •

• Will die to get the mission done •

Sergeant Kyle Reeves: The premier soldier of the new recruits

Sergeant Carla Anderson: The first woman of Delta Force

If the training doesn't kill them, their passion may-but Kyle Reeves and Carla Anderson blast right in. Show no fear. Have no fear. Then they get the call. The most powerful drug-smuggling ring in Venezuela needs a takedown, and Delta's newest team leaps into the deep jungle to deliver. Giving their all? Not a problem. Giving their hearts? That takes a new level of courage.