Kristen Johnson
THis Box set contains three fabulous strories in the Base Branch series. They are interconnected and thrumming with suspense and action while enticing readers to fall in love as the characters do so. In Book One, Versions, Luck and Rin find themselves falling for each other as they work together unexpectedly. Secrets, lies and so much more surround them - will they find happiness together in the midst of it all. Book Two, Virtues brings us the story of Cara and her second chance and not just life, but with her daughter. A chance she wants to grab hold of with both hands and one that lands her in direct line with Tyler - a man she never expected to find. As the story pulls us along with elements of mystery and a blooming romance, it further expands the overall story connecting the three books in this boxed set. And Lastly, Book Three Variations, we get an amazing conclusion which brings together all three books in this arc of the story and draws us into the twists that connect it all. And We get an guilt struck heroine who finally finds some peace.
Margaret Watkins
It took me a while to get into Versions as I was grasping at straws trying to figure out what was going on. However, about a quarter of the way into the book it began to make sense and from then on I really did enjoy the suspense. There are strong dynamics between Rin and Luck and the fact that Luck is her protector and hero, as well as her supposedly dead mother's agent, all works in his favour as far as Rin is concerned. An exciting story line. Virtues is a follow-on from Versions. The story of Cara Lee had me sitting on the edge of my seat, dreading that at any moment some unexpected attack would obliterate her and her small family. Despite her background as an operative and spending seventeen years in hiding, Cara nevertheless has all the powerful emotions of a mother, putting her daughter's needs before her own. Nothing else matters other than Rin's safety. Cara also doubts her capacity for love, but in her young "minder", she finds something in the powerful agent to make her strong outer shell crumble, and to start allowing herself to feel. Tyler is a giant of a man, used to wrestling bulls, but one who is willing to wait patiently until he finds the chinks in Cara's armour, wooing her not with chocolates and flowers, but with those things that make her feel safe again. After having read Versions and Virtues, both of which were really exciting books, I was sadly disappointed in Variations. Firstly I felt that the relationship between Oliver and Marina was quite improbable given that Marina had been imprisoned, severely abused and tortured for as long as she had been. One applauds the fact that she remained mentally strong, but when found by Oliver and Hunter, she was supposedly near death. Secondly, I found the details of the torture meted out by the leader of the Brödraskapet to be extreme, although I fully admit that I am squeamish by nature. Finally, the last third of the book didn’t come together well. Very little is said about Oliver and Marina’s recovery, and I found Marina’s occupation, or lack thereof, a little confusing. However, the bigger picture which includes the previous two books is all tied up together, leaving one loose end that will be the subject of a later book. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Chriss
Versions I loved this story! The downside was that it was a novella (insert sad face) The book started with a BANG lol literally and leaves you turning the last page and then quickly flicking back and checking page numbers...because it is a cruel way to leave us hanging.. Rin is bored...a series of events leave her questioning her "room mate" and her "friends" who are they really and what do they want?? Along comes Lucky. Rin quickly has to learn to trust Lucky, as the ride they are about to take together is going to answer some questions but raise others. Virtues All Cara has wanted to do is protect her daughter. Now out of hiding and back in her daughters life, Cara has to decide if she has the courage to face her future or run from her past. Tyler has started to question whether he can continue along his current career path with Base Branch. Struggling with his conscience he meets Cara. Now he has another battle. Can he convince Cara to give him a chance?? Their story will have you on the edge of your seat, with intrigue, drama, revenge, HOT sex and fantastic humour. You will quickly fall in love with Cara and Tyler, both broken in their own ways, but together maybe they can heal. Variations Marina is broken... her life just one misery after another. Base Branch Operative Oliver struggles to deal with his own painful past. Sparks, bullets and knives fly when these two meet. But with betrayal and danger hot on their heels, will forgiveness be the only thing to save them?? I loved this book!! i think it it probably my favourite out of the Base Branch series, well to date anyways!!