Target Engaged by M.L. Buchman

Target Engaged by M.L. Buchman

Sergeant Kyle Reeves: the premier soldier of the new recruits

Sergeant Carla Anderson: the first woman of Delta Force

If the training doesn't kill them, their passion may--but Kyle Reeves and Carla Anderson blast right in.  Show no fear.  Have no fear.  Then they get the call.  The most powerful drug-smuggling ring in Venezuela needs a take down, and Delta's newest team leaps into the deep jungle to deliver.  Giving their all? Not a problem.  Giving their hearts?  That takes a new level of courage.

This is my first book by M.L. Buchman but it won't be my last--I feel another author binge coming on!  Target Engaged is the first book in a new series by Buchman: Delta Force and I can't wait for books about the other characters, especially Chad and (fingers crossed) Tanya; I also am really loving Ritchie--I have a soft spot for geeky, capable heroes.  I am having the best luck finding great new series this year!! I can only hope it continues.

Carla is one of 104 candidates for the elite of all elite forces: Delta.  She is the first woman to be invited to compete for one of the coveted spots on a Delta team.  Her mother was Army until she died and so was her older brother, Clay who died four years prior.  On the day he was buried, Carla headed to an Army recruitment office and signed up to serve her country.  She knows that one day she will occupy a grave next to her mother and brother, and while that doesn't lead her into making stupid choices, it does give her the incentive to give her all because she isn't afraid of death.  

Kyle is a Green Beret who is determined to become part of The Unit.  He is centered, skilled, and rock solid in his ability to complete the grueling physical and mental requirements of the Delta testing.  He notices Carla on the very first day and doesn't take his eyes off of her for long after that.  Carla is quiet and keeps to herself, although she has no problems taking down the men who try to get too handsy.  She sets her sites on Kyle as the most skilled of the others and makes it her mission to not only keep up with him, but to surpass him.  Throughout the thirty days of testing, the sparks fly between the two but neither act on them.  When they approach the final task of facing the Commanders Review Board, they know this is it, not only for their chances at becoming Delta, but for their chances of being together.  If one makes it and the other doesn't, there is no chance that they will come together--it smacks too much of pity.  When they both make it (not a spoiler--that is implied in the blurb on the back cover), they hit the sheets and stay a couple the rest of the book.

This book had the perfect balance of romance and action in it--as a reader with very little knowledge of the military, everything was explained in a way that I never felt lost but it never slowed down the pacing either.  There was always a great blend of tension and fast paced thrills as well.  Watching Carla, Kyle and the rest of their five person team in Venezuela was fascinating...as was watching Kyle falling deeper for Carla with no reservations and Carla falling deeper for Kyle very much against her will.  Denial thy name is Carla.  But seeing two people with personal problems sucking it up and being there completely in a professional manner was awesome.  I loved everything about this book and can't wait to read more by Buchman!  Thankfully he has a fairly extensive backlist to keep me happy while I wait for the next Delta Force novel.