When things go horribly wrong on a mission in Russia, the surviving members of SEAL Team Nine are ordered to scatter and go dark. It’s been two months since everything went to hell, and Senior Chief Dean Baylor is now living under the radar in Scotland, working as a dive boat captain. He doesn’t need any complications, especially if they come in the form of beautiful marine ecologist Annie Henderson. Annie is on the Isle of Lewis to protest a potentially hazardous offshore drilling venture, but when she learns the activists she arrived with are up to something dangerous, she has no one to turn to for help except for the even more dangerous looking dive boat captain. It’s the second time in two months that things go south for Dean, but he’s not about to let anything happen to Annie, even if it means risking blowing his cover.

Monica McCarty starts off her Lost Platoon series with a bang. Going Dark is an intense, interesting, and engaging romantic suspense. I’ve enjoyed Ms. McCarty’s historical romances in the past, so I was thrilled to discover that she’s every bit as adept when it comes to romantic suspense.

What sets Going Dark apart from a lot of the military romances I’ve read lately is the characters. Badass heroes are a dime a dozen, but while the members of SEAL Team Nine are definitely strong alphas, they’re not over the top (which I was grateful for). Dean is a strong, resourceful, straight-shooting conservative hero. He’s both sexy and endearing, but he doesn’t have the best opinion of people like Annie, who he considers liberal academics in their ivory towers. Annie is a liberal vegetarian marine ecologist who is an idealist at heart. Though she can be naïve, Annie won me over because she truly has a good heart and is trying to make the world a better place. The two seem like total opposites, but they actually fit one another perfectly. I loved that they were able to discuss their different ideologies and that they actually listened to one another when they were disagreeing. Ms. McCarty did a great job of showing where Dean and Annie came from and the events that shaped them and their beliefs. It’s not an easy thing to do, particularly given the current political climate, which is why this really stood out to me. I read most of Going Dark in one sitting because I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dean and Annie.

The suspense plotline involving eco-terrorists balanced out the romance and kept the story moving at a good pace. While I enjoyed this storyline, I’m definitely more invested in the overarching series plot. I want to know who betrayed SEAL Team Nine and why. One of the people looking for answers is Colt, a former member of Dean’s platoon. The subplot involving Colt and his ex-wife, Kate, had me on the edge of my seat. The two of them made such a strong impression that they almost threatened to steal the show. I say almost, because Dean and Annie were definitely the heart and soul of the story and they really left a good impression on me. I finished Going Dark a well-satisfied reader and I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCarty has in store for the rest of the Lost Platoon.

Review & Giveaway: GOING DARK (The Lost Platoon) by Monica McCarty http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9G1
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

This story is fast paced and exciting. I liked both characters instantly, even though I didn’t have a lot in common with either one. I liked that they were almost polar opposites, and yet respected each other’s views with an open mind. Their disagreements never got to the “that’s enough already” stage for me, and I liked that. The romance part was smoking hot and blended well into the story, smoothly ebbing and flowing with the danger all around them. I can’t wait to read the next installment to find out what happens with them and the rest of the lost platoon! I loved it.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

Its not often you find yourself across the seas in Scotland, defending a land you've never seen. Annie's trusted her boyfriend and his friends with her life as they set up to sail out to an oil rig to stage a sit in. But when the plan goes awry and Annie has to decide between what's right and wrong and her life, she has to depend on the ship's captain, Dan to save her.

Dan, AKA Dean, has been under strict orders to "go dark"; a new identity and no contact with his SEAL team as they try to investigate who betrayed them. What he hadn't planned for? Innocent activist Annie to throw him into the spotlight as they go on the run from a terrorist organization. Now he has to fight his feelings for her as he fights to stay incognito to protect his team. But how can he do that when Annie is smarter than he thinks...and is sussing out his darkest secrets?

A first in her new series, McCarty hits all the good spots with this action packed suspense romance. Fans of Julie Walker, April Hunt, and Katie Ruggle will LOVE it! There's a lot of history that goes in to the SEAL team but I liked that McCarty gave us a chance to see what happens in the prologue. There's never a dull moment from the time Annie and Dean set eyes on one another. Action from all sides paired with a couple who keep their wits about them as they navigate open seas and treacherous waters makes for highly entertaining action romance! Hoping for more of The Lost Platoon series!

The elite SEAL team 9 is sent on a covert op into Russia, only to find themselves pawns in a blown mission and caught in a deadly trap. The government quickly closes the case when all are presumed dead…but the survivors are looking for the truth and won’t stop until they find out who betrayed them.

Annie Henderson is a marine ecologist on a mission to save the world from a hazardous off shore drilling project off the coast of Scotland. She didn’t realize that the very greed and corruptions she is trying to stop have taken root in the very mission she is about to embark on. Annie soon finds herself the pawn and betrayed by those she thought her friends.

Dan Warren has been biding his time to uncover the plot that destroyed his team. Undercover as a dive boat captain, he finds himself captivated but wary of Annie. Dan knows her group is up to no good but is unsure of her role in this plot.

Going Dark is what I’ve come to expect from a good romantic suspense. Dan plays the perfect brooding male while Annie plays the spit fire but completely clueless female. Annie’s passion for her cause keeps her in the dark about the true depth of the situation she finds herself.

Action intense, Going Dark is one of the books that just hits the spot when you need a book vacation.

I received this ARC copy of Going Dark from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Going Dark is set for publication September 5, 2017.

My Rating: 4 Stars
Written by: Monica McCarty
Series: The Lost Platoon
Sequence in Series: Book 1
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
ISBN-10: 0399587705
ISBN-13: 978-0399587702
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/goin...
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Reviewed for: Http://tometender.blogspot.com

5 likes

Monica McCarty isn't a new author but she is a new-to-me author! Going Dark is her first foray into romantic suspense so I was thrilled to snag this and check out her writing!

The story starts by introducing us to SEAL team 9, who will become 'the lost platoon'. McCarty dives right in to introducing us to the team, which was interesting to me, but I think might be a bit overwhelming for some readers. Its a lot of characters, and they all have nicknames, and then they all have their specialized SEAL jobs. So the first few pages are PACKED with info. However, I loved the humor that McCarty wove in. It wasn't over the top funny, but subtle and seems believable when you have a group of men who spend way too much time together!

After the prologue intro to the team, you meet Annie, a marine ecologist who has traveled to Scotland with her boyfriend (who is kind of a French douche...not sure what she ever saw in him). Things go south quickly and the boat captain who has been working with the team all week comes to her rescue. Annie is one of those characters that I think some people will hate. She is so smart (she got a doctorate in ecology), but so narrow minded and occasionally a bit naive. She struck me as one of those people who spends all their time READING about things but never actual going out and experiencing things. I had no problem believing in insta-lust between these two. I wasn't quite sold on how their relationship would last long term though.

Annie and Dean are opposites in so many ways. He is very conservative and she is so liberal. They have such divergent political views that it made things interesting for sure! The plot keeps you on your toes and is very engaging. There were parts I felt the book got a little slow and sometimes I was confused (Like, did we meet Dean in the prologue? I can't remember. And is his name Dean or Dan? Because the synopsis says Dan but the book says Dean. Did I miss that this was a deliberate name change for secrecy? I'm so confused!).

Danger, ecoterrorism, and romance flash through the pages of Going Dark and introduce you to a world of espionage and back stabbing that you won't be able to walk away from!

What do you do when you are a Seal group and your mission goes very, very bad. Someone has betrayed you and all the survivors go dark. One goes to Scotland and while trying to stay under the radar finds himself in the middle of a plot to blow up a drilling ship. Oh, and of course there is a woman involved that needs help. A really good start to the new Lost Platoon series. The backstory is covered at the beginning. The character development is first rate and the danger is very real. I loved how the Annie Henderson and Dan Warren (not his real name) learn to work together while protecting Dan's identity. A easy to read and hard to put down book.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

During a covert op, SEAL Team Nine found themselves in trouble with several of the team dying. Unable to figure out whom they could trust, Dan Warren and the rest of the survivors vanished without a trace determined to discover who betrayed them. However, when Dan meets Annie Henderson and gets caught up in the woman's life and the danger closing in on her because of her boyfriend, will Dan be able to keep his cover and Annie safe, or will he lose the woman that has come to mean so much to him?

What a gripping and exciting read Ms. McCarty has penned in this first book of her Lost Platoon series, which encompasses the sexy protector trope; a military hero that is on the run and determined to discover who was responsible for his team walking into a trap during an op; and a heroine that gets herself mixed up in some seriously nasty business that she might not be able to get herself out of. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the hero and his team, because betrayal is always hard to deal with, especially when friends die during a mission. Will Dan be able to uncover the information he wants? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine meet where this story became fast-paced, fully attention-grabbing, and had me determined to discover whether the heroine would be able to untangle herself from the danger she lands herself in.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the suspense, the main character back stories and everything the hero and heroine go through on their journey to happy ever after, especially since Dan needs to keep his identity a secret if he has any chance of staying alive. However, the dialogue wasn't all intense. There were some really good light-hearted moments between the hero and heroine, as they try to stay one step ahead of the trouble they find themselves in. Will Dan be able to make things right for Annie before he has no choice but to leave the heroine's side to keep himself and the heroine safe?

Furthermore, both the main characters were captivating due to their back stories and I loved how resilient and brave Annie was, especially since she has a lot to deal with when it comes to what she's in Scotland to do and what her boyfriend was planning. I also liked how smart the heroine was and how she challenged the hero when it came to figuring out why he was so secretive. Will she discover the hero's real identity? While the hero, he's confident, extremely good at hiding the truth of who he really is, and I liked how determined he was to protect Annie because she doesn't deserve what's happening to her just because she was too naïve to realize her boyfriend wasn't the good man she believed him to be. I also liked how far the hero was willing to go to protect Annie, even though using his skills as a SEAL could expose who he really is. Yet, what I liked most about the hero is that he was willing to break the rules enforced to he and his team, because he can't continue to live like he's been living -- off the grid, guarded and unable to get close to people for fear he could be betrayed again.

Overall, Ms. McCarty has delivered a wonderful romantic suspense in this book, which had the perfect blend of romance and suspense, where the chemistry between this couple was strong, and the ending had me concerned for the safety of the main characters. Will the hero and heroine be all right? However, in saying that, I liked how things turned out for Annie and Dan, as they realize that the only way to be completely happy is to be together, even if it means living day-to-day while Dan and his team continue to hunt down the information they want. I would recommend Going Dark by Monica McCarty, if you enjoy romantic suspense; stories containing military heroes or the sexy protector trope; or if you enjoy books by authors Laura Griffin, Toni Anderson, Misty Evans and Katie Reus.

​This story was okay but ultimately wasn't for me. I really liked the intrigue happening and even the romance for the most part but it was just so long, drawn out, and overly descriptive I never fully got into it or felt invested. About half way through I started skimming because I still wanted to know how the intrigue portion ended.

There's a lot going on in a short amount of time and I felt like I was on information overload, there were a lot of different stories in play. I liked the hero but the hero wasn't who I originally thought it was going to be so that was kind of odd. I was pretty neutral on the heroine. She was fine but just naive. There are a lot of ups and downs between the two, a really good attraction and nice chemistry. There was good drama and heat but I felt disconnected from it because there was so much internal monologue related to it, that it just seemed to go on and on. Also, there is a lot of political talk which is not my jam so that made me check out a bit.

I was curious enough about the mystery who-done-it element that I skimmed to get to the end to get answers and because I wanted to see how the romance ended. A lot where answered and a lot was left open for the series to continue. I never got invested enough to be interested to continue on with more books. This one just didn't work for me.

When I read the blurb to Monica McCarthy's Going Dark I knew it was something that I had to read. This novel was suspenseful, sexy and very intense. I loved the action scenes between Annie and Dean and could not get enough of this SEAL story!

Marine ecologist Annie Henderson joins her new boyfriend on a trip to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. But then she is swept up in something far more dangerous than she'd intended, and can only turn to the mysterious but sexy dive boat captain. Who is he really and can he protect her while protecting his cover?

While I enjoyed this story, I felt the story was somewhat insta-esque and found the heroine to be immature and a tad whiny. It was a little off putting and distracting. All in all, I am glad I read it and will continue with the series. Bravo 3.5 stars! ~Ratula

I would like to thank Netgalley and Berkley publishing for an advanced copy of this novel for an honest review.

I adore a SEAL romance. Love the intrigue that the secretive nature of their job brings to the story. Dean has gone dark after his last mission--one that went horribly wrong. Annie is over her head, caught up in a potential eco-terrorist plot and Dean's the only one who can help her.

But there's something else brewing between Annie and Dean. Something a whole lot more scary. Something that is potentially dangerous. Something a whole lot like love. Neither one is prepared for their feelings--especially since their world is so topsy turvy right now.

I did enjoy the romance and relationship between Dean and Annie. They had such an instant connection and whoa, were they sexy AF between the sheets. I couldn't help but root for them to get it together and work it out.

But there were a few things I struggled with. I struggled with Annie's naivete and lack of common sense. And there were a couple characters that were introduced and then dropped without explanation.

Overall, I think this was a decent start to the series and I'm definitely interested in seeing where things go in the next book.

I absolutely love Monica McCarty’s Highland Guard series. When I heard she had a contemporary romantic suspense coming out, I jumped on it. I didn’t even read the blurb. I didn’t need to. Going Dark is filled with her trademark humor, characters to root for, and enough suspense to keep you anticipating each new page.

Annie Henderson is a marine ecologist and her boyfriend convinces her to make a public protest of oil drilling in Scotland. That’s where she meets Dan. Gruff, beared, super muscled, Dan makes it clear that protesters like Annie are unwanted and do more harm than good. Plus, she’s an outspoken feminist who calls men in the military ‘machines’. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot!

There’s definitely no love lost between them, but oh, the blazing attraction and the banter that just heats these two up!

Soon, however, Annie’s embroiled in something so much deeper than a peaceful protest. It just might be Dan—take charge and protect—who can save her.

This plot is so original, and I loved it. Annie’s out to save the environment, and she’s dying for a way to make a stand and make a difference. There’s a lotta passion in this firecracker! She’s liberal, anti-military, and very independent. Dan’s her opposite—very alpha, conservative, and pro-military. They really butt heads, but they also have these conversations that really dug in and fleshed them out.

And let’s not forget the strip-me-now sex.

On top of that, there’s the lost platoon of Navy SEALs from an op gone wrong. No one knows what happened to them or where they are. The story is just rife with tension and espionage and mystery.
I will say the opening chapter confused me. I wasn’t expecting Dan to turn into the missing member he was. I do wonder why the opening chapter is in the POV that it is, and I’m hoping the next book will shed some light on that.

If you’re in the mood for a hot alpha, an independent ecologist, with some whipcord tension, you’re gonna want to pick this up. McCarty delivers an exhilarating read that will light your world on fire.

4 stars!

*I received an arc via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

What’s it About? Marine ecologist Annie Henderson’s life gets turned inside out when she ends up having to run for her life while in Scotland to protest a hazardous offshore drilling venture. The only one she can trust is the dive boat captain, Dan Warren who is hiding more than just his name. The two quickly go on the run as they try and figure out what Annie got caught up in and whether or not it’s connected to Dan’s past.




Overall reaction to the story? Huge props to Monica McCarty for really bringing the suspense to the forefront of the story. Going Dark got my heart racing with its fast paced intrigue and mystery. I got dragged into the story right along with the characters and had to check my impulse to look over my shoulder every few minutes just like they did! Even the slight issue I had with the heroine towards the end couldn’t take away my overall enjoyment of this romantic suspense. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come! I need answers about this team!!



Describe the hero in five words: Monosyllabic. Gruff. Protective. Intelligent. Loyal.

Did you like him? Yes. The grumpy ones are the best.

Why? Dan was such a great character to start a series with, he was the reluctant but efficient hero who just wanted to focus on finding out who betrayed his team and why but ended up caught up in someone else’s problems. He’s super secretive with good reason but still managed to show enough of himself as a person to be complete book boyfriend material. Yes he was grumpy and on the right side of rude sometimes but hey, that made him more interesting and entertaining to me. Besides, the grumpy ones fall harder and Dan was no exception. I liked that while he was used to barking out orders and having men obey them, he didn’t treat Annie like an object or like a burden. He took his role as protector seriously and even when he wasn’t being the nicest, he did put Annie’s immediate needs first.



Describe the heroine in five words: Naïve. Intelligent. Brave. Kind. Stubborn.

Did you like her? For the most part.

Why? Annie was caught in one of the worst situations a Marine Ecologist could be caught in. She was running for her life and she didn’t even know why and she was totally dependent on a strange man for protection. Not to mention she knew from the start he was hiding something big. So I have to give her credit for keeping it together and not becoming a useless watering pot at every opportunity. She may not have had the street smarts to protect herself but she did have the brains and the intuition NOT to paint a big bull’s-eye on her forehead. She was the kindness Dan was missing in his life and she didn’t have to try. I liked how she balanced out the suspense and action with her own brand of humor and normalcy. The problem I had with her came a bit later when in the thick of all the danger, she and Dan had grown physically close and she started wanting explanations and answers from Dan that didn’t have anything to do with her current situation. Um, ‘scuse me? You’re in the middle of a life or death situation with no one to help you but a stranger but yeah, let’s be petty and start making relationship demands of the guy. That makes perfect sense. *sarcasm*



Let’s talk about the romance: Dan and Annie’s situation didn’t exactly lend itself to moonlit strolls or romantic dinners. It was more like run-for-your-life adrenaline fueled moments where these two had to let their guards down and trust each other. That kind of situation made for a few very real moments between them that built a solid foundation for their romance to grow. I liked that it wasn’t the central focus of Going Dark but it wasn’t neglected and left to the side either. Monica McCarty provided a nice balance of suspense and romance to make the plot move along easily but didn’t forget that this is a romance and it should have its time to shine. It did because Dan and Annie were total opposites learning to lean on each other and find things they did have in common.



How about that supporting cast? Because of the events in the beginning of the story, Going Dark was mostly a solo venture between Dan and Annie. There were a few instances where Dan communicated with some of his friends but readers don’t get a lot of information on them which adds to the excitement and anticipation for the next book.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. Going Dark promises action, suspense, and romance and it delivers all three in spades.

Thats start off by saying that this is one of my all time favorite authors.I loved her books and I absolutely loved her Highland Guard Series so I am so looking forward to starting on her latest series.

I loved Ms McCarty's latest novel from cover to cover.One thing I love about her is that she always makes you fall in love with her characters from the onset and she did that for me this time around.

I loved Annie found her to be smart ,sexy, determined,had the need to save the world,had ideals,sweet kind and loving.Although a little naive and to trusting she was a loyal friend and had a bit of a fiery temper.I loved her sense of humor and quick whit. I just loved everything about her.I loved the chemistry she had with Dan they made a sweet and sexy couple.My heart broke for her knowing that getting involved with Dan would lead to heartbreak and she did it anyway knowing that the risk she took to create them memories would be well worth it.

Dan on the other hand I found him to be tall ,dark, handsome and bruting but, sexy as hell.I actually loved his gruff exterior.He was guarded,secretive and lethal as well.I loved that Annie was the one women to pierce his armor and let down his guard somewhat with her. Even doing so it lead him to be exposed and vulnerable a deadly combination.He was so lost lonely and closed off she was his bright light in his dark world.I loved how he was a different person around her.I loved his protectiveness and how he cared about her well being knowing it would only bring him trouble later on and still did it knowing what the consequences would be.

I loved the plot and how both characters were in danger in different ways yet and unexpected meeting and the involvement Annie has with her so called boyfriend leads to uncovering yet another devious dangerous plot.The story kept you intrigued and turning the pages and once I started I could not put the book down.


I loved the danger the twists and turns the story took and I love the sweet romance that developed between Annie and Dan even after knowing loving one another would lead to heart break for one another.

My kind of story with loving characters excellent writing and a great plot.So looking forward to the next in its series.

This one goes into the keeper pile for me to be read again and again.Recommended read to all and I recommend her Highland Guard series as well.

5 stars from us

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Super secret SEAL team nine is betrayed during an ops into Russia and half are killed in an explosion. The few survivors separate and go dark until they can figure out who betrayed them. Dean (now Dan) has taken a job as a tour boat captain in Scotland where he meets Annie and her companions who hire the boat to take them to protest at an off shore drilling rig. When Annie discovers her "friends" have explosives, things go down hill quickly and she escapes in an inflatable boat with Dean. Sparks begin to fly!

There's a lot going on here as the first book in the series and I was a little surprised when the story suddenly shifted to other characters. I haven't read any other books by this author so no preconceived opinions, but I think it seemed a little like a Suzanne Brockmann wannabe. Overall, a good story but nothing to stand out for me.

This review posted on Goodreads.

An author who usually writes fabulous historical romance so yes I'm delighted to see how she tackles romance coupled with a strong military suspense twist. There is admittedly a rash of these types of books available but I have to say that this story went in totally unexpected directions.
It all begins with an undercover raid and from the first page the author puts her readers firmly in a young mans shoes as he is teased by fellow Seals and readies himself for whatever is to come. Please take note of all these characters as unfortunately not all will survive and for the bulk of the story it's Dean who will step forward to be our hero.
Annie is keen to use her PHD to do some good and together with her admittedly very new boyfriend she has journeyed to Scotland to protest against drilling so close to the scenic coastline. Annie may not feel comfortable with all the members of her dive party but she's not letting a few heebie jeebies stop her from acting on her beliefs. Problem is Annie has been lied to and pretty soon all she can do is follow the ships captain as it's dangerously apparent that not only are her fellow activists anything but passive but they are clearly out for blood!
Dean is laying low whilst his teammates still try to work out just who betrayed them on their last mission. Keeping a low profile wasn't a problem before a certain cocky and far too naive Annie boarded his boat! She's everything he isn't, has completely different opinions and yet seems so unaware of her own quite considerable charms. Charms Dean can resist but when Annie realises she's brought danger to his boat of course the big tough Seal is going to protect her.
Ok admittedly I was a touch surprised by the beginning as it's very unusual to get introduced to a character that is likeable only to have them bumped off! I'm not sure if they ploy will please all readers but it certainly got my attention! I really enjoyed the story however once it got into its stride and can start to see just why the author chose to throw in such a beguiling beginning. As the couple go on the run they face numerous challenges and not all are from bad guys as they still have the inhospitable terrain as well to navigate. Being at the mercy of the elements doesn't bother Dean but Annie isn't quite as hardbitten and it's easy to see her try oh so very hard not to be a burden.
I'm kind of on the fence with Annie as at times I really didn't like her that much. I do understand she has strong ideals and is what some might refer to as an eco warrior but her thoughts on those who serve their country actually grated terribly on me. At times perhaps too preachy although admittedly she is given a backstory to help explain her viewpoint . It's her absurd inability to realise that only because others have made hard choices does she have the ability to vote, live as she wants and yes even peacefully protest that had me wanting to shake her.
Dean was much easier to like as he's made of the stuff you expect from a tough military man who knows others keep their hands clean whilst men like him get down and dirty. Now luckily Dean does field convincing arguments when faced with Annie's rhetoric although at times their dialogue was quite political although Dean seemed to enjoy it. However again I'm not sure just how much other romantic suspense readers will want this if like me you read to escape the harsh reality.
My final thoughts are that in spite of things I've mentioned that I wasn't comfortable with I actually really enjoyed this book. There's enough suspense running through this to keep me engaged plus there's still the mystery surrounding what happened and why. We are introduced to a couple of other possible book boyfriends as this story unravels with lots of mystery surrounding their relationships both past and present. It felt current and up to date so completely unlike anything else the author has written but never fear her way with words and ability to make her romances feel like the stuff of dreams is all most definitely here.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Sadly I just could not get into this story.

Annie is a Environmental Grad Student, caught up in a whirlwind romance with a French Grad Student. Before she knows it she is in the Highlands of Scotland, protesting at the activities of an oil company. She is rather naive if you ask me and seems to just be a bit airy-fairy when it comes to her ideals. She soon learns that there are plans afoot to use the protectors to camouflage more dastardly deeds.

Dean was part of SEAL team Nine, who were ambushed on their last mission and they have gone into hiding. Now acting as a deckhand on a boat which moors in the same small coastal town Annie is living in. Their paths cross and Annie finds herself attracted to "Dan". But she is with Julien and he is more her type...isn't he?

Sadly I just could not get into this book at all. I felt Annie was just so naive and she occasionally played into the "poor little rich girl" stereotype. Dean and the rest of the team were fully formed characters and I found them more believable but their interaction with other characters felt stilted and a bit condescending at times.

I did enjoy the idea of the SEAL team being torn apart and hiding out around the world. Maybe because I am Scottish I just felt the Scots characters were kind of "Cartoony" and I just could not love them :(

One of the first things that comes to mind when crafting this review is the uniqueness of the story. The author has really done due diligence to create an interesting and intricate story that made this a pleasure to read.

The characters are not your run-of-the-mill contemporary romance fluff pieces. The plot is well thought out and well constructed. Plus she allows plenty of room for growth in this interesting new series.

While so much of the book is intensive to a degree, there are some humorous and lighthearted spots and our hero, Dean, is definitely delicious. This book was very well thought out and combines romance and suspense with our military SEAL flavor of the month – yummy, hot and spicy.

For those of you that are not familiar with Monica McCarty’s writing, take the time to try this one on for size. I think you’ll find it fits just right, just like our hero. Mmmmm

I can’t wait for more in the series. Definitely an interesting story that is not only believable but the author has taken a page from today’s news. Love it!!

Though I haven't read many romantic suspense novels, it's one of my favorite sub-genres of romance. Going Dark sounded like the perfect book for me, and I couldn't wait to get into it.

Going Dark sets off with an explosive, albeit confusing prologue with a Navy SEAL's mission in Russia going wrong. It's a confusing prologue because you soon realize that the hero of the book isn't who you think it is. So be warned, as the prologue and first chapter will most likely throw readers off. Despite the confusing start, the book is an addicting read with non-stop action and revelations. It's exciting from start to finish, and will have readers salivating for more as you read through the chapters.

At the center of Going Dark are two characters who are polar opposites of each other when it comes to political views, but who somehow fit together like a lock and a key. Annie, a newly minted PhD ecologist, is accompanying her boyfriend to Scotland to protest an oil-company. We soon find out that her boyfriend and his friends' plans involve more than just peaceful protests, and take a dangerous turn. Thankfully for her, she's thrown into the arms of Dan (Dean in reality), who is trying to fly under the radar after surviving the secret mission.

Annie is very anti-military, pro-environment and is a vegetarian. Dean is a Southern military man with very staunch conservative beliefs. So you can imagine that these two don't always mesh together. But they find a way to compromise, and becoming understanding of each others' views throughout Going Dark. I found the inclusion of a couple with such differing views to be interesting, and also quite relevant given the current political climate. Their relationship definitely started with a lot of lust, but as the story progressed we get to see them connect emotionally as well. The chemistry between the two is smoking hot!

Annie does come across as a little naive at times, but her passion for her work, and her resilience spoke to me. As for Dean himself, he's just the kind of her I enjoy in romantic suspense novels, a little on the stoic side, but also sexy as hell. The secondary cast introduced in Going Dark were even more intriguing than the main characters, in my opinion, and I can't wait to become acquainted with them as the series progresses.

For now, I'm already a fan of the Lost Platoon series, and I'm excited to see what Monica McCarthy has up her sleeves for readers. Going Dark is a sexy, fun and fantastic start to what is sure to become an addicting series.

Military suspense story, new to me author that I've been meaning to try, and a cool setting.... I was all set to love this one. And I did...until the heroine showed up. Okay, so maybe it wasn't right when she showed up- and there was that really awesome hero and his plot line to distract me from her.

Well, I made it several chapters in and just got more upset. I was mostly upset because I could have really loved this story if the heroine hadn't been so irksome. Let me just say here and now that people who go in for causes are not the issue when I say that I just wanted to throttle the heroine. It was honestly more of how she went about it with a ton of stubborn-stupid happening. I am a firm believer that we all need to be good stewards of our planet, but yeesh, she got herself in danger and hence another person because he had to rescue her. The attitude she copped about the military didn't win points with me, either, especially when it came with a military-trained man's rescue of her. I will say that the clash of ideology wouldn't have bugged me so bad if there weren't a whole slew of bitsy things about the gal that built up with me. I don't dare go into a list or this would turn into a rant.

So... I called it quits somewhere before half-way. I really liked the set up and the author's writing and I loved that SEAL team in the beginning and the big betrayal/conspiracy so I am definitely coming back for book two for a second chance with a different heroine.

3.5 Stars
I rounded it up, because I ended up being way invested and I want more!

McCarty, the queen of Scottish hotties historical, has started a new series and it's not a historical one.
But it is set in Scotland. Which is one of the best things about the book if you ask me.
I am still enamored with her descriptions of Scotland. She paints the landscape with her words and I feel like I am there again. Every time I read a book by McCarty I end up reminiscing about the time I lived in the Highlands, remembering it's natural beauty, the smells.. the cold (my least favorite part about Scotland) and I plan to visit again, soon.
McCary's writing style works for me whether it's historical or contemporary. It's as I said beautiful descriptions and insightful. But most of all I love the way she meticulously builds characters.
Just like I expected the character building is my favorite part of this novel. While I am not all fangirling about some aspects, when it comes to character building. I am a goner. I want more. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next with the team... I am emotionally invested in them, even though, we only get a small glimpse of most of the team members.
The two MCs didn't actually win my heart first go. Nope they kinda weaseled their way in. I love how they complement each other and how they agreed to disagree. How both discovered that really the world isn't all black and white, but there is a lot more to it. Also how both found that their weakness is also their strength and that when you want something you can find a way.

The plot is all action and insta- attraction. I enjoyed it immensely. There is a lot of pent up chemisty, a lot of frustration in between the fighting-for-your-life-bits and some sweet falling for each other moments. And then there are the political banters and dialogues... And this is where the 3.5Stars falls in. At times they felt a bit like the reader is being preached at. I suddenly wondered where McCarty politically stands. But mostly the arguments are those we get to read and hear every day on social media and television. They felt a bit generic in the beginning. But as the story went on, I realised that, McCarty used the arguments of both sides to highlight the different standpoints of the two characters
I admire what she tried to do, but I also have to say I am not sure if it added to the reading pleasure. I think it will divide the readers, some will love it and some won't.

Retrospectively I find it interesting and clever, while reading however, I felt like not this again. I have my political views, just like most people. I guess I am quite in the middle field, because when it comes to the liberal and conservative discussions, I find that I agree with certain issues with that and with others with this side. However the thing I can't abide at all is that both sides argue that the other is wrong and they both only see black and white. Where is the compromise? Also how about to agree to disagree? For me about halfway in the book, that was my biggest issue. It was like we think this you think that.. and we can argue to death. Both gave valid arguments. But both also accused the other side of things that were just assumptive and is exactly what irritates me in the current political discussion. McCarty did make them both come around - in that they both acknowledged that neither side is all right or all wrong. There is no clear right way or wrong way, it would be great, but sadly we dealing with much more complex situations. I think if people would be able to listen to others POV, we would have a better world. Sounds simplistic, but that's where it starts. Which is why I love McCarty's solution here. Listen, find a just compromise and agree to disagree. I know this is a book and it's just two people, but it's the way if you ask me.

So how does this compare to McCarty's historical hot scottish alphas?
As I said, the descriptions of the country is fenomenal. McCarty gets Scotland if you ask me. The romance has definitely McCarty's MO all over it. But more than that, I could see a parallel between The Highland Guard and the Lost Platoon. I am not only talking about the fact that both are about highly trained, well built gorgeous warriors, who are all single to start with. But I saw clearly McCarty's signature in her characters and the way she sees alpha warriors. I guess while the customs, methods have changed over the time, and certainly the politics, the essence of a warrior hasn't changed that much and neither has falling in love.

I am looking forward to the next installment of the Lost Platoon. Which reminds me: I feel like I didn't get enough on the mystery about the platoon, I hope McCarty will shed some more light on it in the next book. At least I hope there will be another book, and please let it be about Colt!