Code Name Virgo by Janie Crouch
Zodiac Tactical #2

What an introduction to two superb characters that go through so much to eventually find their HEA together. GREAT STORY!

What I liked:
* Harrison “Sarge” McEwan: Retired Navy SEAL, call sign Virgo, seasoned warrior, quiet, leader, intelligent, lethal, caring, kind, intriguing, team player, helps a young woman not realizing they will see one another again in the future.
* Brony: Eastern Europe, orphan, under the thumb of Prague mafia, intelligent, thief, difficult backstory, does what she must to survive, assisted at one time by Sarge
* Bronwyn Rourke: new recruit to Zociac Tactical, hired on the recommendation of Sarge, excellent skill set, lethal after training, becomes a pawn in a bigger game, strong in spit of all she ended up enduring
* Jenna: computer nerd, science background, recluse, PTSD, difficult backstory, someone I hope will have a story of her own
* Outlaw: does contract work for Zodiac Tactical, good friend, team player, someone I want to know more about and will star in his own book with Jenna…soon
* Landon: member of Zodiac Tactical, call sign Libra, has a book of his own this year – can’t wait
* Seeing Ian and Wavy again…hope to hear more about them in the future
* The sheep and alpacas…fun part of the story
* That the bad guys were dealt with very efficiently eventually
* All of it except

What I didn’t like:
* Exactly who and what I was meant not to like: Mosaic members, the mad physician, and other thugs
* Thinking about how evil some people are and how much suffering they create
* Knowing I will have to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )

Yet another of the author's books that had me pulling an all-nighter. I really must learn to start these books earlier in the day. I know this, but somehow it doesn't stop me from reading as soon as possible. This is the second book in the Zodiac Tactical series, and much of it takes place concurrently with Code Name: Aries but from a different perspective. There are some overlapping scenes, but not many, and those don't feel repetitive.

The story starts with Sarge's first encounter with Bronwyn. He's a SEAL whose team just finished a mission and is on leave in Prague (terrific city - the descriptions took me back to my visits there). He spots Bronwyn, a talented pickpocket, as she works the square. He doesn't interfere until later when he rescues her from a disturbing situation. I loved Sarge's protectiveness and honorable nature, something Bronwyn had no experience with. The scene in his hotel room was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved the connection between them and how important that connection became. I ached for Bronwyn when something she said after leaving caused him harm and for Sarge, who believed she'd betrayed him. Despite the circumstances, neither one forgot the other.

Five years later (current day), Sarge is back in Prague and looking for Bronwyn. Nothing much has changed, but now Sarge works for Zodiac Tactical. This time when he encounters Bronwyn, he offers her the means to escape her current situation by recruiting her for Zodiac. When she shows up at their Paris location, he keeps a watchful but distant eye on her. When we see Bronwyn again, she is in the middle of a mission. I loved seeing her pride in her work, and how she overcame the temptation she felt at a crucial moment. Everything looks good as Bronwyn successfully completes her mission. But things go downhill fast when she arrives back at her hotel room and is drugged and taken.

When Sarge finds out that Bronwyn is missing, his protectiveness goes into overdrive. Hw leaves no stone unturned in his search for her. Even when others believe she left on her own, he doesn't give up. And when video shows up of Bronwyn participating in robberies and other illegal behavior, Sarge is the only one who believes that something is wrong. I loved his determination to find her and his confidence in her when he does. In the segments done from Bronwyn's point of view, we witness the devastating torture she experiences at the hands of Mosaic and the excruciatingly painful methods of mind control they use. I couldn't help but be amazed at her strength of will as she fought against the darkness. I loved how her connection with Sarge gave her the strength to endure and survive. Her mental conversations with him were often the only thing that kept her from going over the edge.

I ached for Sarge on those occasions he caught up with Bronwyn. He worked so hard to stop her without hurting her, but because of the brainwashing, Bronwyn didn't hold back, though she could never bring herself to kill him. The parallels and overlaps with Ian and Wavy's story helped build my anticipation for some of the things I knew were coming. I loved it when Sarge whisked Bronwyn away to the ranch to heal and recover. His patience and care were terrific. I hurt for Bronwyn, who believed that she was broken, no matter how often Sarge tried to tell her how amazing she was. The back and forth as various groups fought for possession of Bronwyn made me ache for everything she experienced.

I loved how Bronwyn's time with Jenna while Sarge was away allowed Bronwyn to push her brain for memories that Sarge held her back from. Bronwyn's determination to unlock the secrets shows how strong she is. Her horror at what she learned was tempered by knowing that she has information vital to stopping Mosaic. I loved her plan, and though Sarge hated it, he had to admit it could work. I was glued to the pages (and wide awake at 5 am!) as they carried it out. Of course, there's frequently a monkey wrench thrown into the works during the process, and this was no exception. I loved watching Bronwyn face off against the one responsible for her troubles. Justice was served in the end.

During their time on the ranch, Bronwyn and Sarge had the chance to get to know each other. Because of their age difference, Sarge was cautious about how he treated her. It took a while for him to admit his feelings for her, though Bronwyn knew hers. I could feel her frustration at times as he kept that bit of distance between them. I loved when she finally broke through his control, and they experienced what was meant to be. The epilogue was fantastic.

I can't wait for the next Zodiac book, as well as the Resting Warrior Ranch series. ( )