Taking Fire by Lindsay McKenna

She dances on the edge of life…and death…
Not all are meant to walk in the light. Marine Corps Sergeant Khat Shinwari lives among the shadows of the rocky Afghani hills, a Shadow Warrior by name and by nature. She works alone, undercover and undetected—until a small team of US Navy SEALs are set upon by the Taliban…and Khat is forced to disobey orders to save their lives.
To go rogue.
Now, hidden deep in the hills with injured SEAL Michael Tarik in her care, Khat learns that he's more than just a soldier. In him, she sees something of herself and of what she could be. Now duty faces off against the raw, overwhelming attraction she has for Mike. And she must decide between the safety of the shadows…and risking everything by stepping into the light.

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A military story where duty, culture and customs tangle with love for your soul-mate and priorities of life.
When Khat saves Mike's life, they come instantly connected. The attraction is fierce, the connection is more than physical, they feel like they are meant to be together. And Mike is willing to do anything to make that work.
Khat has been years in combat, in special black ops mission, without a break, and it has started to affect her, and her health. Mike, as well all the other SEALs sees this, and are doing what they can, to help this stubborn beauty out there in the mountains, alone against the Taliban.
The way the story unfolds, it's almost poetic in nature. The Saudi background of Mike, and Afghan heritage of Khat, gives them insight and depth, and understanding towards each others culture. The pull of tradition, customs, and the culture where Khat has lived the past years, is strong. She is broken, but can't seem to see the big picture, she is so focused on her mission. The battle with PTSD is constant, even though she doesn't seem to realize it.
What Khat and Mike have is real, rare, and fragile. Their feelings for each other is almost feverish in nature, and together they are explosive like fireworks. There's a lot Khat has to change and give up, to make out of the life she has created to herself in the deep black ops. They get to know each other slowly, as the story unfolds. The constant threat of the Taliban is present, there's no place where they feel safe and secure from the war. Mike knows the challenges their relationship will face, and is willing to be patient, work through the things together, and wait for Khat to be ready.
The story is beautiful, and flows like a poem. I enjoyed the action, as well as the different cultural aspects of the story. The romance was tender and delicate. Even though, this was a full story with a happy ending, there's even more details in this story coming up March 1 on a novella On Fire. Parts of the story that just didn't fit into this book in this format. I'm looking forward to it.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side