Hell and High Water
by Charlie Cochet
(Thirds #1)
OMG! This series is crazy good! Mesmerizing! Addictive! Cochet creates a captivating world; a futuristic urban fantasy with hott, gorgeous alpha soldiers, paranormal shifters, romance, intense sexual relationships, and elusive villains. There’s something for everyone; plenty of action, suspense, humor, angst, turmoil, battles… and, the m/m sexual romantic relationships add a distinct element, a complex layer to the characters.
Hell and High Water introduces Dex Daley, a Human Police Force detective, embroiled in the aftermath of a highly controversial case that involved his partner who killed an unarmed Therian youth, an animal shifter. Dex testifies against his partner, who subsequently is sent to prison. He faces unwarranted media attention, death threats, as many Humans and his fellow officers cannot believe that Dex would ally, and sympathize with Therians, a species of shifters feared and abhorred by Humans hate. As expected, Dex is labeled a traitor; suffers several beat downs by his fellow cops, for he did the unthinkable… betrayed one of his own over an animal? A shifter? A subhuman?
Forced to leave the HPF, Dex transfers to the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron, (THIRDS), a military tactical/law enforcement unit composed of both humans and Therians. They enforce the law, and attempt to maintain a tenuous peace between Humans and Therians. Hell and High Water follows Dex’s experience as the rookie defense agent assigned to the Unit Alpha Destructive Delta of the THIRDS. The elite Destructive Deltas, extremely aggressive both physically and mentally, are employed to neutralize the highest level most menacing threats; they’re the “sharpest and toughest”.
Oh Wait! There’s more! Destructive Delta partners Humans with Therians and his Team Leader, Sloane is a jaguar Therian whose reputation as an unrelenting, unapproachable hard-ass, precedes him. Oh BTW, Sloane is Dex’s new partner! This. Is. Unbelievable!
Dex quickly notices that the closely knit Destructive Delta unit possesses a strong camaraderie; an unshakeable bond, and…unwilling to accept new comers. Reeling from an unbearable lost, Gabe, a beloved team member, killed in action, the team needs to come to terms, to heal.
Sooo…this is Dex’s dilemma. He is the new recruit, to replace Gabe…and Wait, the respected Gabe was also Sloane’s former partner!
Yet, Dex with his irresistible charm warms his teammates; they accept him ( except for Ash); and he in turn, helps the team heal; inexorably, they move forward with Dex as a valued asset to their team. Dex’s, boyish charm, obnoxious and funny behavior even thaws his partner, the distant, reticent, and, the-oh-so-sexy Sloane. Surprisingly, Sloane feels a sexual attraction toward Dex, this man-child. WTH... Will this be another complication…something that’s absolutely forbidden! (No fraternization allowed! )
The overarching plot of the THIRDS series, the escalating hostility and hatred between Humans and Therians exists throughout the series. Discrimination, separatism, bigotry, vengeance motivates the Order of Adrasteia, a human hate group with Isaac Pearce, Gabe’s brother as its leader and his own brand, version of vengeance. The THIRDS continue to investigate and defuse threats, interrogate terrorists, extract civilians from dangerous situations, safeguard the public and protect their team.
Do I like Dex?
Dex is unique, unlike any character that I’ve met thus far. He disguises his insecurities, anger, and discomfort with humor, sarcastic, smart-ass comments; constantly “pushes the envelope”, challenges his teammates. Dex, openly homosexual, thoroughly enjoys life; an expert soldier and overall, a welcomed, needed addition to Destructive Delta. And…he’s hot for Sloane. Loyal to his brother and father, Dex balances familial responsibility, love, and respect with adjusting to life in the THIRDS, and we see his secretive relationship with Sloane develop, progress, blossom into something more, and he accepts his vulnerability, his tendency to trust and love too quickly, and Sloane is so…closed, secretive, and careful! Dex is uncomfortable with Sloane’s distance…Sloane’s reluctance to share… parts of himself with Dex… his past, his secrets, and his heart. So, we experience Dex’s emotional turmoil. Can he accept that Sloane still loves Gabe!
And Sloane?
Ooh La La! My new obsession! Sloane, the ultra sexy jaguar Therian is the typical alpha…powerful, mysterious, reticent, feral, and gorgeous; a magnificent Felid shapeshifter with a torturous past. Yes, he’s the archetypical paranormal bad boy; tormented, guarded, fearsome, and hott. Sloane has not accepted Gabe’s death, his former Human partner and lover! And now Sloane has to partner with an insufferable, obnoxious, human rookie! This. Is. Not. Good! Yet, somehow, reluctantly, he learns to like this goofball, the playful charismatic Dex. He relaxes and laughs at Dex’s carefree antics. Dex possesses the uncanny ability to charm and engage anyone who’s around him; Dex amazes Sloane and easily lightens his mood. Unexpectedly, Sloane reacts…to Dex…physically, sexually, and emotionally. Oh My! Yet, Sloane feels guilty…he still loves Gabe…feels guilty about his past, his horrendous secrets. Sloane will not allow himself to connect to Dex. His life is too complicated.
Action-packed, Hell and High Water is suspenseful with kidnappings, bombings, hand-to-hand combat as well as humorous banter between team members. And…there’s Dex and Sloane…their attraction, the angst; the will-they-won't-they…who knows?
Overall, a great entertaining read!
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