CODE NAME: ARIES by Janie Crouch

GOODREADS  |  AMAZON

My code name is Aries.The stars say I’m aggressive, dominant, first in line to lead.
The stars aren’t wrong.
Zodiac Tactical is my company. It’s run by those I’ve chosen for their skills and ability to outmaneuver adversaries. We guard, protect, rescue…assist on the side of the angels.
We eliminate the threat when nobody else can.
My pastime of putting bad guys out of business has created powerful enemies, but I’ve always made sure there was nothing in my life I couldn’t live without.
Until now. Until her.
She’s not a warrior, she’s an artist. She sees colors everywhere and greets the world—and me—with a smile. I knew I shouldn’t come near her from the beginning, but she’s everything I’ve never been able to be.
And now a monster has taken her, caged her, to get even with me.
My code name is Aries. And I will burn the world to the ground to get her back.
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Zodiac Tactical—the team of protectors who stand at the front line in the face of danger. Come meet Ian DeRose, the safeguarding warrior who will do anything to defend gentle Wavy Bollinger.

WOW! I don't remember if I have ever cried so hard for a literary heroine as I wept for Wavy's fate. This story hit hard and made an impact like I wasn't prepared for. 
When I heard that Janie Crouch is coming out with a new series I was elated like a kid at Christmas. Even the change in POV into the first tense didn't put me off, and I admit, here it gave the story continuous intensity and flow that took a hold of my mind, making the tale unputdownable. 
An impressive feat of excellent storytelling, a gripping tale of horror and fright, an ardent story of love that has time and space to deepen and grow, a team that is ready to sacrifice for their mission and for each other - Aries has it all, it blew me away with the depth of the emotions between Ian and Wavy, with the intense terror of human trafficking, with the potent fast tempo of the fight for their lives, for what is right, and the absolute trust that bonds the mates of Zodiac Tactical team. 
Aries brings to the pages few characters from the past series by the author, and the tale has such a natural, smooth flow, emitting the kind of insights rarely seen at the first installment into a series.
I loved this story so hard, I'm intrigued by the Zodiac Tactical team members, looking forward to getting to know them and read about the troubles they face and soulmates they find. Yes, I am enamored, and  I just might re-read Aries again just to figure out what are the horoscope signs of the rest of the crew. 
~ Five Spoons

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USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.
When she's not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds. 
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