There is a fine balance between romance and action when it comes to books that combine them both. It's usually tough to get it right, and more often than not one overpowers the other - unfortunately, this is what went wrong with this story (well, that and something else, keep on reading).

Gabriel Durrand has lost a man who was in a covert mission in Columbia. Now, he wishes to find him and bring him home, and he needs Eddy Edwards to help him on that. The last thing he expected and needed was for this Eddy person to turn out a woman! One that is very proud, skillful, and yet still very noticeably female. Finding Shepherd will turn out a lot harder than he initially thought...

OK, first, I liked the whole misunderstanding with Eddy's name. I also enjoy tough heroines a lot - although I have to say, trying so hard to prove themselves sometimes gets old nowadays. Still, she was someone a modern female reader could relate with, especially someone who tried working in an all-male environment - been there, done that, and decided it wasn't worth the effort or the possible suicidal thoughts. So I salute her for keeping up with it all and becoming what she became in the end of the book - character growth did wonders for her.

I also found it nice that the happy romantic ending didn't come all too easily when the story came to a close. And yes, the action helped a lot in there, too.

BUT!

The romance could have used a bit more... depth, I guess? It was hard to get into the whole thing with so much going on with the story at once. And that would have been fine, but we're talking about a book that has the romance genre in its main focus as well. See what I'm trying to say? It has been proven that the fine balance I talked about in the beginning of my review CAN be achieved, so I can't really say 'oh, well, it's just impossible to happen'.

Still, what really peeved me to no end, what made me hate reading after a certain page, was Linus. Seriously, I've seen bimbos and nagging main heroines being more thankful than that god damn man! You're being rescued, you stupid horndog! Forget about a woman who has done everything else other than yell it from the rooftops that she's betraying and using you, and be a good rescue victim, grateful for your comrade who risked his ass, his reputation, and everything else in between, to come take you out of that hellhole you ended up in!

As it stood, the story was a solid 4-star maybe in the beginning. But the minute Linus freaking Shepherd started actively talking while being captured, the rating started dropping. Dramatically! Turns out, it is possible for a character to make me do that, huh....

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

"Angel Down" was not a bad read at all. It was entertaining and had elements that could have made it a great book.

We have Gabriel, a former Ranger, and Jennifer (Eddy), once a CIA agent, going south of the border to rescue Gabe's teammate from drug lords.
The premise of their mission kept me interested in the story to find out how they got out of the next snafu. There was not really much romance between the H and h, so it didn't really feel like much of a romance story. I would have liked to have seen the connections between Gabriel and Jennifer (Eddy) a bit more fleshed out. It was just a bit sketchy from beginning to end. I didn't feel them as a couple. The action, however, was non-stop, but felt like paragraphs of the story was missing. Going from point A to point D, I wanted the story to be filled in. It did keep me interested to see how they came out of this adventure after rescuing Shep. I was a bit disappointed after the rescue because it seemed to be a couple of short pages before we have a HEA.

I would like to thank NetGalley and NYLA for gifting me with "Angel Down". My opinion is my own. This is mine 3 Stars!

Not a bad story, definitely action packed and suspenseful.

A few things I took issue with:
* Eddy at times was annoying. She kept putting herself in danger, constantly thinking nothing of it. If she was a trained CIA operative like she claimed to be, she wouldn't take so many risks with no only her life but with Gabriel's.
* The intimate scenes were glossed over. We had tons of details on them kissing but when it become more than that the entire scene was down to 2 or 3 sentences. The lack in description made it difficult to understand the connection the characters had in that moment (the emotions they had, if any)

I really enjoyed this book. I have read all of Ms. Greiman's contemporary books and enjoyed them. This is definitely more action packed than her previous ones. I find the hero - Gabe - to be a well defined character, he is very believable. Eddy - the heroine- while she is an interesting character, her speech pattern, at times, throws me off. Still, all in all, they did work as a couple.

Secondary characters were well developed and the plot was fast paced. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to Linus's story.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Whilst on sick leave after being involved in a mission that ended up with the deaths of some members of his team Gabriel Durand hears that his best friend and teammate Skip has gone missing on a rogue mission in Columbia. Determined to rescue him he employs CIA agent Jennifer 'eddy' Edwards to help him, although a linguist and expert marksman eddy has never been out in the field. She also comes across as very naive and ditzy.
To be honest it's a bit of a stretch to call this a romance not much happens besides a bit of wishful thinking between the two until more or less the last few pages of the book. Skip is such an annoying character with his 'aw shucks' way of speaking I'd of been quite happy for them to have left him in the jungle.
There is quite.a bit of action throughout the book but whilst reading I often felt I was filling in gaps myself in my mind as to what was happening.
An okay read but not great.

Gabriel Durrand is an Army Ranger injured when an off the books mission goes FUBAR. He also lost several members of his team. While he is recuperating, one of his teammates, Shep, who is also his best friend, takes a rogue assignment and goes missing in Columbia. Gabe is determined to find him and bring him home. He is somewhat alpha, not very social

Jennifer “Eddy” Edwards is a CIA agent who is a language specialist and a computer whiz. While she is also an excellent marksman and field trained, she has no field experience, much to her dismay and many failed attempts to get it. She is spunky, smart, resilient, determined and very green.

Gabe hires Eddy to go with him to find Shep because she has the skills he needs for the mission. He gets frustrated with her inexperience but admires her determined nature. There’s more action and suspense than romance, but who’s got time for romance when you are being chased through the jungles of Columbia by drug lord militia.

The way Shep spoke irritated me like fingernails on a chalkboard while trying to read it. It disrupted my reading flow. I realize he was from Oklahoma, and his character was most likely supposed to come across as an easy going, backwoods cowboy, but it ended up just grating.

The ending was too quick. After a five month separation, it was over in a matter of paragraphs.

I realize Gabe was desperate for help, but I have a hard time believing a well seasoned Army Ranger would take an untried agent, especially a female one, on such a risky, dangerous mission. And do you really think they were able to get a cell phone signal in the jungle? If you can look past the inconsistencies and unlikelihoods, it is an okay read, just not a very plausible one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Angel Down by: Lois Greiman is a great book.  I am not sure exactly how they came up with the title though.  But hey if Gabe wants to be my Angel then who am I to complain.
 
Anyhow in this book you have Gabe, who is  solider whom is stateside recovery from past demons and injuries.  He is trying to find Eddy to help him on a personal op to go in and save a friend whom has been listed MIA.  He is at a bar to meet Eddy and Eddy is turning into a no-show.  Pissed off and ready to leave a gorgeous woman catches his eye. She looks like she has a lot on her mind.  Taking a chance he chats her up and sparks fly.  Little does he know that Eddy is right under his nose, when he almost gets his ass kicked by her.  So Eddy agrees to the mission.  Can the duo go into a drug lord infested jungle to save Shep and make it out alive?
 
I really loved this book.  I did however have a hard time reading it at first.  The first few chapters threw me off.  It started out talking about the op, then fast forward to the bar scene, with no indication.  But after that it was rolling hot.  This book was an action packed adventure, mixed with loads of sexual attraction.  The book flowed flawlessly after the bar scene.  I really enjoyed the characters in this book.  Gabe is Mr. Save Everyone complex (hence the title of the book) and Eddy is having to prove herself to everyone, because she is a woman.  The characters are very strong and sound.  Eddy tends to talk herself into some bad situations, but always gathers the best intel that way.  Gabe is a little on the brute side.  They both have an undeniable chemistry.  I can see a series with this one, using Shep as the next book, but I am not sure if the author is going that route yet.  If you are looking for a roller coaster of fun, then this is the book for you.  It is full of danger and action.  I highly  recommend this adrenaline rush.
 
*ARC provided by Netgalley

Super action packed and a bit crazy but so entertaining!

On a mission to save his brother in arms, Gabe recruits a linguist to get him into Columbia and ferret out his friend's whereabouts. Eddy Edwards, however looks more like a fresh faced dreamer than a seasoned CIA agent.

Eddy has been turned down yet again for field work, meeting Gabe is the perfect opportunity to showcase her skills and prove that she has what it takes to finally get that promotion.

With bullets flying and dangerous people at every turn, these two battle the jungle and the sexual tension that vibrates between them from that first bathroom encounter.

What I loved about it:
Angel Down had great well rounded MCs. Gabe and Eddy were interesting and entertaining right for the beginning. Gabe, with his blunt, no-nonsense attitude was fun to read. Especially because he had such a dry sense of humor.

" "Listen, if you want to get yourself murdered and dismembered on your own time, that's your right as an American citizen... "

Watching him slowly fall for Eddy was definitely one of the highlights to the story. It was endearing to see him battle his instinctive need to protect her while giving her space and respecting her skills and capabilities as a partner in this mission.

He watched her, fascinated. If she were any damned cuter, you could use her as a cake-topper.

Eddy was a tough cookie, she's an accomplished marksman, speaks 5 languages, is trained in hand to hand and . I loved that she still retained her belief in the good in people (even if 9 out of 10 times she was wrong about their motives) she was innocent in a way that Gabe stopped being a long time ago. They made for a very cute couple that balanced each other.

Still good but I needed more!
It was a little light on the romance. The rescue mission they were on didn't really leave a lot of time to get flirty but I still needed that extra sweetness to tide me over completely. The pacing and 95% of the story has them trekking the jungle, running from killers and dodging bullets so it's not set up to be a sugary sweet romance. To be honest, I liked the action and adrenaline and non stop flow of the story. I just felt that the ending could have been a little bit more about them finally being together.

Five months is a long time to be apart and their reunion was done in like two pages. I just wanted more of these two as a couple because although few, their one on one time (when their not running for their lives) was sweet and funny and I loved that.

Memorable Moments:
Their first meeting at the bar that ends in that all out battle in the restroom was hilarious and hooked me instantly. It was very Mr. and Mrs. Smith ;)

And then there's the waterfall scene. I loved it because it was a scene that showed us Gabe's feelings for Eddy ran deeper than even he was willing to admit. It was also a really emotional and mentally intense moment for both of them and they reveal more about each other.

3 1/2 Star review.....

Angel Down is my first read by Lois Greiman, and managed to invoke enough interest that I will definitely looking for what comes next.

Eddy and Gabe are engaging characters, but there were a few inconsistencies regarding Eddy’s suppose expertise with weapons. Overall though, I did like the plot and will read the next in the series.

Angel Down is an action packed read. I enjoyed both Eddy and Gabe’s characters and the connection between them could be felt through the pages. There were a few inconsistencies but overall not enough to impact the enjoyment of this suspenseful romance. I will definitely recommend this book

Wow! What a wildly intense ride. I was turning pages as quickly as I could because this is a gripping, intriguing story that truly immerses you into a lifelike fight for life story.

The rapid changes in the ever evolving story is enough to keep your attention and leave you on the edge through the realism of survival in a drug infested jungle.

All the interactions between Gabe and Eddy were priceless and made what could have been the normal hardened Army Ranger rescue, into an emotional story with depth and heart.

The story was wrapped up perfectly, leaving the door open for what would a fabulous series.

This ARC book was a complimentary copy provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

DNF so will not be rating or reviewing. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.

an ok fast paced read.

There are two reasons I gave Angel Down only three stars. First being that Eddy states a lot that she is an expert with guns and a sharp shooter. But yet on two occasions she has her gun snatched out of her hands. Second is because Colombia is painted in such a bad light. I get that it is a dangerous place with people that won't think twice before killing you. But everyone they meet turns out to be bad guys. Most pretend to want to help them and then turn on them as soon as they let their guard down.
The thing I liked about Angel Down was the non stop suspense. It kept me turning the pages and helped to overlook the things that I didn't like about it.

I truly enjoyed Angel Down. I was hooked from page one. Good solid writing.