Enemies of the State (Gigi’s Review)

Enemies of the StateTitle: Enemies of the State (The Executive Office #1)
Author: Tal Bauer
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: February 15, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary/Political
Page Count: 5245 Kindle locations
Reviewed by: Gigi
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

A rogue Black Ops unit with the president in their crosshairs.

A Secret Service agent who will break every rule.

A president falling for the one person he shouldn’t—a man.

Newly elected President Jack Spiers’s presidency is rocked from the very beginning, and he’s working furiously to keep the world from falling apart. Between terrorism attacks ripping apart Europe, Russia’s constant posturing and aggression, and the quagmire of the Middle East, Jack is struggling to keep his campaign promise—to work toward a better, safer world.

For Special Agent Ethan Reichenbach, Jack is just another president, the third in twelve years. With Jack’s election, he’s been promoted, and now he’s running the presidential detail, which puts him side by side with Jack daily. He’s expecting another stuffed suit and an arrogant DC politician, but Jack shocks him with his humor and humanity.

There are rules against a Secret Service agent and one of their protectees developing a friendship—big rules. Besides, Jack is straight as a ruler, and a widower, and Ethan has always avoided falling for straight men. Ethan keeps his distance, but Jack draws him in, like gas to a naked flame, and it’s a lure he isn’t strong enough to turn away from.

As the two men collide, rules are shattered and the world teeters on the verge of war, and a rogue Black Ops unit bent on destruction sets Jack in their deadly crosshairs. Ethan must put everything on the line in order to save the man he’s come to love, Jack’s presidency, and the world.

First off, plan your day around this one. You will NOT want to put it down. If you have spoiled dogs like I do and it’s past their bedtime, this might happen to you:

Newly elected POTUS Jack Spiers is having a tough time acclimating to his new job. He was windowed 15 years ago and never had any children, so he is alone in the White House. He is lonely and stressed out over his new responsibilities.

Special Agent Ethan Reichenbach is a 12 year veteran of the Secret Service and served under two presidents before Jack. His rule, and the rule he tells all his agents: Don’t get involved and invested in a friendship with the people you are protecting.

Distance is important. Critically important. You can’t be objective if you’re involved with the protectee.

When Ethan sees how stressed and lonely Jack is, he breaks his rule and reluctantly offers to be Jack’s workout partner in the White House gym, hoping the physical activity and conversation will ease his stress and loneliness.

And that, my friends, is all I’m going to tell you about the plot. You will want to read how these two get together yourself, with no spoilers. You won’t want to be spoiled about who the bad guys are (I didn’t guess correctly, which is rare for me) and what their endgame is. I will tell you that the emotions between these men is incredibly strong and goes very deep. These two did NOT act like the leader of the free world and a hard-ass Secret Service Agent when it came to their personal relationship. Some may say it is too much or “cheesy” but it really WORKED here and sucked me right in. I really cared about these two men and hope we haven’t seen the last of them!

I’m with you all the way.Special Agent Reichenbach
Oh, I am so excited for everyone to read this!

    First time author!
    A silver-fox President!
    A muscle-bound Secret Service Agent!
    Bad guys!
    Double agents!
    Murder plots!
    Espionage!

But before you go thinking this is a Tom Clancy novel, it also has

    Strong emotions!
    Passion!
    Man tears!
    Romance!
    Hot man-sex!
    LOVE!

emotion

I like to do character collages (what I think the characters look like) after reading a book that stirs me emotionally (examples: In the Absence of Light, Between Ghosts, Dancing Lessons) but the artist who did this cover was SPOT ON with how I imagined these characters looked.

Ethan and POTUS Jack

Special Agent Ethan Reichenbach & POTUS Jack Spiers

Enemies of the State reminds me of two books. The first one is Valor on the Move. I liked Keira Andrews’ tale of a Secret Service Agent falling for the son of the POTUS, but the young age of the son made me feel like the relationship was inappropriate. If you liked Valor on he Move, you will love this one. It has men in their 40’s and the only thing inappropriate is their working relationship, which they figure out together. It also reminds me of In The Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish. I was all fan-girl-stupid with that book because of discovering a new author who kicked some series ass. I feel fan-girl-stupid again about a first time author and I cannot WAIT for Tal Bauer’s next book.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


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Advanced Review Copy

Galley copy of Enemies of the State provided by NineStar Press in exchange of an honest review.

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2 Comments on "Enemies of the State (Gigi’s Review)"


[…] thrilled to welcome guest author Tal Bauer, whose new book Enemies of the State is released today. 5 stars from Gigi and 5+ stars from Vallie. Highly recommended […]

Lisa
1 month 5 days ago

This one sounds really good. I will definitely check it out when it’s released. Love the pics of your dogs. I have a cat and a dog and I’ve seen that look before. :)

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