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Last Man Standing (Black Ops Inc. #7)

4.31 of 5 stars 4.31 · rating details · 1,347 ratings · 142 reviews

The final “powerfully intense” (Romantic Times) Black Ops, Inc. novel from New York Times bestseller Cindy Gerard, featuringa covert private security team and electrifying romantic suspense.Black Ops, Inc. operative Joe Green is determined to bring to justice the man responsible for former team member Bryan Tompkins’s death. He’s convinced the ambush that killed Bryan was...more

ebook, 229 pages

Published January 31st 2012 by Pocket Books (first published January 1st 2012)

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Feb 06, 2012 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the series

Recommended to Auntee by: Shawna

Shelves: part-of-a-series, romantic-suspense, 2012_reads

This is the 7th and final book of what turned out to be one of the most consistently excellent RS series I think I've ever read. Not a bad book in the whole Black Ops series (and yes, you must read in order and you'd be wise to read at least the last book in the Bodyguards series first --Into the Dark--or you're going to be lost...). Anyhow, Cindy Gerard fills each story with just the right blend of adventure to exotic, dangerous locales, fingernail biting suspense, ruthless bad guys, snatched-f...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Buggy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: top, men-in-uniform-af-spc-op, rom-susp, shelf-12, tortured-hero, tattooed-hero

Opening Line: "Joe Green was as good as dead."

How freakin good was this? It was like I’d been on a diet and then with great anticipation sat down and ate the most satisfying, delicious, fulfilling meal I’d had in ages. Of course this meal also came with remorse because now it’s over and back to my diet of mediocre romantic suspense again. Not much in this genre comes close Cindy Gerard’s BOI’s for me, I have loved each and every book in the series and to then finish with Joe’s story… well he def...more Opening Line: "Joe Green was as good as dead."

How freakin good was this? It was like I’d been on a diet and then with great anticipation sat down and ate the most satisfying, delicious, fulfilling meal I’d had in ages. Of course this meal also came with remorse because now it’s over and back to my diet of mediocre romantic suspense again. Not much in this genre comes close Cindy Gerard’s BOI’s for me, I have loved each and every book in the series and to then finish with Joe’s story… well he definitely is desert.

And anyone with a soft spot for the tortured hero had better sit down because Special Operative Joe Green will grab your heart and squeeze until the very last pages. Ah yes the vigilante hero, is there anything more heartbreaking then a man willing to risk everything?

Sadly this is the 7th and last book from Gerard’s fantastic Black Op’s Inc series. I’d have a tough time picking a favourite among them; Fast paced, super sexy and filled with action, adventure, exotic locations and top notch writing, you really can’t go wrong, I would recommend however you start at the beginning. (Show No Mercy) Speaking of which, I loved the fact that this book took us back to events started there, in affect creating a story arc and tying up all the loose ends.

I guess my only real disappointment would have to be that we didn’t get to see more (any/some) of our BOI’S within this story. LAST MAN STANDING is all about Joe and Stephanie, not that the plot suffers for it or anything but I missed the banter. With the introduction of Navy pilot Mike ”Primetime” Brown I did get some of what I was missing though and I’m sure looking forward to his book from Gerard’s as yet unnamed new series.

“Mean” Joe Green has gone vigilante, completely off the grid he’s cut himself off from everyone including long time love Stephanie Tompkins, breaking both of their heats (and mine) in the process. Joe is on a mission of vengeance, back in Sierra Leone he’s seeking out information on the man responsible for his team mates death in a supposed ambush years ago. He’d meant to protect Stephanie from this hell but when he’s falsely imprisoned for the death of a priest, and with his team on blackout status, she’s the only one left who has his back.

For a month Joe is beaten starved and tortured, he’s half way to dead by the time the last person on earth he wants to see shows up in in Freetown to rescue him. But with no military training how is sweet and gentle Stephanie ever going to break him out of of this hellhole?

I want to read this all over again just writing the summery. The opening chapters are so good. Stephanie turned out to be a real surprise, I mean she doesn’t suddenly turn into Rambo or anything but she did have me believing she was capable of just about anything and for quite a while wore the pants in this relationship. Men can be so dumb. The romance, sigh. I loved this couple. I loved that Joe and Stephanie were already together so this was a different sort of romance, not all butterflies and new love but a couple working through things and really seeing who the other is.

“She looked not like a woman who needed a man like Joe Green to complete her life, but like a woman who could damn well complete his.”

I can’t say enough good things about this series, it captured me from book 1 and has never let go. Each instalment is excellent; with hot alpha men falling hard for their lady loves. These BOI’s are funny, endearing, good in bed and manage to give us quite a few sigh worthy moments while still packing a big gun and kicking major ass. The storylines are always exciting, expertly written and with a nice balance between the action and romance. I never find myself going “yeah right” with this series it’s just always amazing. Cheers
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Feb 03, 2012 Keri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, reviewed, cindy-gerard, romance-military-special-ops

Joe has lived with Bryan's death for way to long and the time was at hand to finally bring the man responsible for his death to justice. Only one problem, Joe feels he has to cut all ties from the ones that he cares about and that includes Stephanie. At least it seemed a good idea at the time. So he heads out to Freetown to mete out justice. Now six weeks into his Sierra Leone incarceration after being accused of murder, maybe he might have been a bit too hasty. Right now though it is her love t...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Elizabeth (Liz) - Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense-read, arc-from-author-read

Received an ARC from the author.

As the final book in the series, this is a must-read! Also, this *is* an ARC, so I'm sure at least minor changes are coming to the finished product. But, either way, this has been a wonderful series, and this final book comes full circle and gives everyone closure.

For me, I really enjoyed the epilogue more than anything else. That was the only time all of the BOI group was together in this final book. The story itself was good, though it felt just a tiny bit...ru...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, men-in-uniform, romantic-suspense

4.5 stars.

I'm going to miss these BOI, men who have grown on me throughout the series.

That being said it was a great ending to a fantastic series. It was not as action packed as the rest of the other books, but there was romance. "Mean Joe" Green and Stephanie, who I thought kicked some "major butt", are a great couple.

The only bad thing I could say about this book, is that I would have liked to have seen more of Primetime Mike. All in all, I enjoyed it. Great Epilogue too.

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Feb 02, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One man with courage makes a majority.- Andrew Jackson.

Just as Cindy Gerard ends her Black Ops Inc. (BOI) series with LAST MAN STANDING, I read her for the first time. I easily followed the story without having read the first six books. Indeed, the title is spot on as the last man, "Mean Joe Green", goes off the grid to hunt the man responsible for a comrade's death. Concerned with consequences to his BOI "brothers" and even his lover, he seeks vengeance on his own. Yet his lover, Stephanie, ref...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Gerard's BOI series fans

Shelves: cindy-gerard, romantic-suspense, favorite-romance-series, series-bodyguards-black-ops-inc, hero-brooding, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, im-a-cover-hottie-ho, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, best-endings-epilogues, exotic-wild-settings-survivor-lovin, 2012-reads, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, best-faves-of-2012, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-alpha‎, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, hero-tattalizing, heroine-good-girl-nice, heroine-girl-next-door, heroine-in-pursuit, heroine-makeover, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, hh-on-the-run-in-hiding, hh-resist-cause-im-no-good-for-you, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, hh-warrior, i-read-own-faves-keepers, i-read-kindle, kindle, military-romance, mystery-intrigue-espionage-subplot, steam-2-warm, tattoos-piercings-body-art, 4-to-5-stars

4 ½-5 stars – Romantic Suspense

Cindy Gerard's "last" BOI got a smokin' hot, studtastic cover hunk! Hubba-hubba!

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Jan 29, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for_review, rom-suspense

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

In the last book in the Black Ops, Inc. series, Joe takes center stage, in a big way. He pulls away from his teammates, the woman he loves, from anyone who means anything to him as he tracks down the killer of his former teammate and Stephanie’s brother. He knows he’s looking into something that could and probably would ultimately end him, but the guilt of Bryan’s death eats at him and he wants justice for his close friend and man he tho...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Jacquelynn Fritz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though this is the last book in the series, its the first book that I've read and I'm sorry that I missed the other books. Joe Green, former CIA agent works for Black Ops, Inc. and has been involved with Stephanie Tompkins, whose brother Bry was killed on a mission years before.
Joe sees Stephanie one last time before he goes on a mission to Sierra Leone to find answers about Bry's death and who is responsible. Joe is captured, jailed, and tortured.
Rhoda, Stephanie's friend and fellow cryptolog...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Tara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My name is Tara and I am last in a series procrastinator. There, I feel better now. It's not that I want to wait so long to read the end of a series, but like Christmas day, I don't want it to end.

I figured since the first book in Cindy's new series is in my TBR pile I should close out the black ops series. That and a 5 hour flight where I needed a good book to pass the time, so I broke down, powered up my kindle and dove in......

Joe and Stephanie, two of my favorites from the beginning of the s...more My name is Tara and I am last in a series procrastinator. There, I feel better now. It's not that I want to wait so long to read the end of a series, but like Christmas day, I don't want it to end.

I figured since the first book in Cindy's new series is in my TBR pile I should close out the black ops series. That and a 5 hour flight where I needed a good book to pass the time, so I broke down, powered up my kindle and dove in......

Joe and Stephanie, two of my favorites from the beginning of the series! Only fitting to end the series with them, in my opinion.

Joe had so much guilt about Stephanie's brother and his own. He wanted the truth for everyone as to what happened in the jungle and why so many years before.

But, Stephanie stole the show for me in this book. I'd say I was 80% secure in what Joe Green what really all about from the other books. Other than the story with his brother we saw the real Joe often, the tough side and the soft side. But, again, Stephanie stepped up, and owned it!

I very much enjoyed watching her go with her gut, follow her heart and take charge! At times she might not have had the best plan, or been well informed, but it didn't stop her from stepping out to help the one she loved and to show the world the truth about what happened to her brother. Often when this happens in books girl starts to stand up for herself, it feels like she becomes someone else almost. At least in several of the books I have read. But, here, nope, you still saw that softer side of Stephanie, and saw her mind having the same struggles as she always did, she evolved to a stronger woman and I thought Cindy did an amazing job in showing her evolution.

In the end she and Joe had their HEA, and it was wonderful to see the gang back together at her parents house to get caught up to close the series.

I loved this series from the beginning and feel like it never once disappointed me throughout all 7 books. I am sad to see it close, but thrilled with the way Cindy ended it for us and the team.

Now, I only hope her new series pulls me in like this one did, and , seriously, It's Cindy Gerard, so I have no doubt it will.

Read this series. You'll enjoy each and every book, and be so happy you did.(less)

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Jan 11, 2013 Kathy Davie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action, romance, suspense

Seventh and last in the Black Ops, Inc. romantic suspense series. The couple focus is on Mean Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins.

My Take
With the new characters who have been joining BOI, and Gerard bringing them all back to be based in the States, I had hoped that Gerard was planning to continue the series. Now, I'll have to hope that she's planning a spin-off. I don't wanna lose them!

I've so enjoyed the contrasts of these men who are tough and hard when necessary and soft and gentle when it's not...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Xenos rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: best

Well, it had to happen sometime...Cindy Gerard's "Black Ops, Inc." has officially come to an end. *sniffle* But what a way to go! In "Last Man Standing", "Mean" Joe Green goes rogue and searches for fellow BOI Bryan Tompkins' murderer...even though everyone believes Bry's death was an accident. In my opinion, Joe has always flown under the radar in CG's books. So when I found out the last BOI book was Joe-centric, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was one of CG's best stories to date. Not...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Monique Atgood rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Favorite Line:
"For the record," Brown bellowed four hours later,"just once, I'd like to fly a mission with you Black Ops boys that didn't involve gunfire, explosives, or impossible take off or landing conditions."
"You weren't singing that song on the ground," Joe yelled back from the cabin, bracing as the jet descended through major turbulence and Brown attempted to line them up with the runway. "That's because I didn't know `snowstorm' meant `epic (bleep)ing blizzard,'" Brown countered.

"Where d...more Favorite Line:
"For the record," Brown bellowed four hours later,"just once, I'd like to fly a mission with you Black Ops boys that didn't involve gunfire, explosives, or impossible take off or landing conditions."
"You weren't singing that song on the ground," Joe yelled back from the cabin, bracing as the jet descended through major turbulence and Brown attempted to line them up with the runway. "That's because I didn't know `snowstorm' meant `epic (bleep)ing blizzard,'" Brown countered.

"Where do you want me?" Stephanie's warrior face almost broke Joe's heart. "In the truck" all three men answered in unison.

Pros:
You guessed it. Steph doesn't stay in the truck. Another great adventure from Gerrard. She'll never let her readers down. Her stories always deliver excitement and impact and are well worth the investment of hard earned cash and precious time.

Plus, there are two new pilot characters who seem to have the promise of their own book.

Synopsis:
Stephanie's on and off boyfriend Joe Green stops by to say goodbye. They end up in the sack. He leaves her in tears and disappears. Turns out, he's gone back to the land where Stephanie's brother was killed in an ambush to uncover the traitor who betrayed them to the enemy.

While investigating, Joe is framed for a priest's murder. Weeks later, Stephanie finds out he's in jail. None of the guys are available to go to his rescue, so Stephanie boards a plane with forged embassy credentials and heads for the third world. After visiting the shell of a tortured and almost crazed Joe, she along with a young man Joe befriended, arrange a prison break.

SPOILER: An army general who is in line for Secretary of State is the one behind the old ambush. He bought a chunk of land that has rare minerals and is worth Billions. He'll do anything to protect his investment including killing off all the others in running for the recently vacated Secretary of State position. And Stephanie's mom is on the short list for the job.

Steph and Joe escape to the US, discover that her mom is about to be murdered, then arrange to save her mom and dad who are being targeted at their remote vacation cabin. There's this big happy scene where all the old characters from the other books get together. All loose ends are tied up, and everyone seems AOK and caught in the maelstrom of a baby boom.

Ok. I don't like it when it's obvious they are ending a series and saying adios to a perfectly great line of stories. I guess all good things must come to an end. I just don't want to know it. (Buries head in sand). Buy Last Man Standing and enjoy it. (less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Andreasoldier rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 08, 2012 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My Review:
A hot
The Black Ops Inc. series has absolutely been one of my favorite military romantic suspense series for a few years now. This is the series finale and my heart is weeping because I love these guys (but the good news is that we will still see them in Cindy's next series.) But what Cindy does brilliantly in this last installment, is that she takes the series full circle. When we met these guys seven books ago, it was right after the mission where they lost Brian fifteen years ago. Fi...more My Review:
A hot
The Black Ops Inc. series has absolutely been one of my favorite military romantic suspense series for a few years now. This is the series finale and my heart is weeping because I love these guys (but the good news is that we will still see them in Cindy's next series.) But what Cindy does brilliantly in this last installment, is that she takes the series full circle. When we met these guys seven books ago, it was right after the mission where they lost Brian fifteen years ago. Finally, in this book, there is a resolution to how that mission went so wrong, and Joe finally finds the person responsible for Brian's death.

This book is about Mean Joe Green. He was Brian's best friend and has always been the quiet giant on the team. That quiet facade hides a man that has been haunted by Brian's death for the last fifteen years and how he could have prevented it. To complicate his mental state, the last couple of years, Brian has been involved with Stephanie, Brian's younger sister. He knows, when he goes to find proof of the subterfuge surrounding the mission where Brian died, that he is probably not going to survive so he breaks it off with Stephanie (breaking her heart) and doesn't tell any of the BOI's where he is going.

Stephanie works for the NSA, but she is simply a worker-bee within the office. When she comes across a photo of Joe imprisoned dated from a month ago, she knows that she can't sit idly by while he could die in a foreign country. Unfortunately, all the BOI's are away on a mission with no way to reach them. But Stephanie has diplomatic ties had manages to con her way into seeing Joe. He has been beaten and starved daily for over a month, so by the time she sees him, there's not much left. He's in bad shape both mentally and physically and Stephanie is the only one who can save him.

OMG, I ADORED THIS BOOK! Joe is so vulnerable. This is not a side that we have ever seen from his character as he is at the edge of what he can take both physically and mentally. He loves Stephanie. He knows that and he knows that he broke her heart when he left and he hates himself for that. But he knows that he can't live with himself if the man responsible for Brian's death goes free. On the flip side of that is Stephanie. She loves Joe, but she realizes that she has always just stood by him and accepted things his way. When she suddenly has to take charge and he has to rely on her, she develops an inner-strength and character that is inspiring. She goes through this major transformation in this book where she truly finds herself. I loved her empowerment in this book!

Really, just a truly fabulous book. Tons of action, suspense, and a really sexy love story. I loved the dynamics of these characters and how they evolved throughout the book. The final scene with the whole group at the Thompkins house (I am trying to remember...I think every single one of these books ended this way) broke my heart simply because I know it's the last time. I have grown to love these characters and their stories. I know that I will re-read the books over and over again. Thank you Cindy for that gift!!!
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Feb 05, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, military-suspense-romance, black-ops-inc-series

LAST MAN STANDING by Cindy Gerard is an exciting romantic suspense set in present day Freetown,Sierra Leone,West Africa and Washington,D.C. This is book 7 in the Black Ops,Inc,but can be read as a stand alone. See, SHOW NO MERCY – Book 1 Black Ops Inc.,TAKE NO PRISONERS – Book 2 Black Ops Inc.,WHISPER NO LIES – Book 3 Black Ops Inc.,FEEL THE HEAT – Book 4 Black Ops Inc.,RISK NO SECRETS – Book 5 Black Ops Inc.,WITH NO REMORSE. What a series with a team of hunky Black Ops guys and their feisty lad...more LAST MAN STANDING by Cindy Gerard is an exciting romantic suspense set in present day Freetown,Sierra Leone,West Africa and Washington,D.C. This is book 7 in the Black Ops,Inc,but can be read as a stand alone. See, SHOW NO MERCY – Book 1 Black Ops Inc.,TAKE NO PRISONERS – Book 2 Black Ops Inc.,WHISPER NO LIES – Book 3 Black Ops Inc.,FEEL THE HEAT – Book 4 Black Ops Inc.,RISK NO SECRETS – Book 5 Black Ops Inc.,WITH NO REMORSE. What a series with a team of hunky Black Ops guys and their feisty ladies.

“Last Man Standing” is the the story of Joe Green,a Special CIA operative on a mission to find the traitor who had his brother team member ambushed and killed. And avenge his Black Ops,Inc. brother’s deaths. And Stephanie Tompkins, a Cryptrolist in NSA’s Signals intelligence Division,Joe’s lover for two years, and her brother(Bryan) was killed fifteen years prior during the deadly ambush. Joe doesn’t want his fellow BOI team dragged into his mission or the love of his life,Stephanie so he walks away from them all for his final mission. When he goes to West Africa,he is captured,half starved,and tortured for the information he knows,who the traitor is and he intends to bring them down. That is if he lives long enough. Enter, Stephanie, who is determined to save Joe and take him home. Together, Joe, Stephanie, a few orphans escape Joe’s tormentor. ” Last Man Standing” is a fast paced, action filled, heart thumping story of love,sensual tension,passion,revenge,a traitor,life as a Black Ops operative,suspense,romance, miltary life,death,betrayal,and conspiracy. The hero will learn that his heroine is not as meek as he thought,but a tough lady on a mission of her own,to save the love of her life. A must read for anyone who enjoys Military type stories,romance,suspense,adventure,and fast paced from beginning to the last page. Ms. Gerard has written a wonderful story of love,sacrifice and justice.Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Pocket Star Books, a division of Simon & Schuster,Inc. and My Book Addiction an More/My Book Addiction Reviews.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: Steamy
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews(less)

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Jan 30, 2012 Lisarenee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A man haunted by his past...

"Some never see it coming." His tone lacked emotion, but the heart that beat heavily beneath her hand told her he was anything but detached. "Some look me right in the eye and I can tell. They know I'm the last thing they're ever going to see. Not their wife. Not their mother. Not their kid. Me."

"Now I see them. In the dark. In the night."

A man out for vengeance...

'For the first time in his life, he was scared. Not of the fight, he was scared that Stephanie was ri...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Last Man Standing by Cindy Gerard
Romantic Suspense -Jan. 31st, 2012
4 ½ stars

Joe Green is a tough Special Ops man haunted by the death of his friend Bryan in a mission gone very bad. He feels that his friend's death was due to foul play and that his team was set up, but he is not sure how to prove it. However, he does know that the powerful person behind Bryan's death can hurt anyone around him should Joe be found investigating it. Tortured by these thoughts, he coldly breaks up with the love of...more Last Man Standing by Cindy Gerard
Romantic Suspense -Jan. 31st, 2012
4 ½ stars

Joe Green is a tough Special Ops man haunted by the death of his friend Bryan in a mission gone very bad. He feels that his friend's death was due to foul play and that his team was set up, but he is not sure how to prove it. However, he does know that the powerful person behind Bryan's death can hurt anyone around him should Joe be found investigating it. Tortured by these thoughts, he coldly breaks up with the love of his life, Stephanie Tompkins who also happens to be Bryan’s sister. He also thinks she will not believe his conspiracy theory.

Stephanie is heartbroken with the loss of her brother Bryan and now Joe.. Joe made her safe and loved and although he has left her, she cannot help longing for him. When her work uncovers a photo of a man accused of murdering a priest. Stephanie is shocked to realize the man has Joe's face! She knows he would never commit the crime he has been accused of. When she is unable to find help to rescue Joe, she decides to go to by herself and finds a malnourished and near death Joe. Determined to save him she finds an unlikely helper. And she discovers a deep courage and self confidence she never knew she had. But will these help her save her man in time?

This book immediately got me involved! The tortured hero tries to find justice but in the process must give up the woman he obviously adores to keep her safe. Joe Green is a man's man and I loved reading how much he loves Stephanie. I was afraid Stephanie would be a bland mousy character but even from the start, I felt the connection between her and Joe and her strength to open herself up to him. When he leaves her, she is sad but strong and resilient. I loved how she believes in Joe even when he tries his best to make her think he didn't love her. When she decides to go save him, I cheered her on. She finds herself responsible for Joe in a hostile and unfamiliar land. And because Joe is so weak, she discovers her hidden strength and it is satisfying to read about Stephanie’s newfound self confidence and how their relationship changes since she is now the person in charge. I particularly liked the young man she befriends and who helps save Joe and her. I hope the author writes a story about him in the future!

Those who love alpha heroes but a self-reliant woman who can match him will love this emotional story filled with suspense and action.

Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Book Club

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Nov 17, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, military-romance, cindy-gerard

I was also lucky enough to have won an ARC of Last Man Standing. Cindy Gerard is one of my all-time favorite authors so words cannot describe how excited I was to be able to be one of the first to read this novel.

To start, I don’t plan to give away any spoilers for the book, but it’s always hard for me to know if what I say is “spoiler-ish” so just a pre-warning that some of my general information may possibly be construed as spoilerish by some. I'll let the Goodreads experts let me know if I ne...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Pat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was so excited when I found Last Man Standing, by Cindy Gerard, at my local grocery store on Jan. 28th!! I had pre-ordered it, and quickly canceled the order and started reading. This story was a perfect ending to the adventures of BOI. Joe and Stephanie's story. He has always, to me, taken Bryan's death the hardest. Never letting it go. Stephanie, Bryan's sister, has been in love with Joe, it seems like forever. I am trying very hard to not give spoilers, so bear with me. The story travels fr...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 7th and final BOI ( Black Ops Inc) series book by author Cindy Gerard. Mean Joe Green always seems to be the most mysterious one of the group. You never really knew much about him. This book is all Joe. Bryan Tompkins was supposed to be a BOI. He is considered part of the group even though he was killed in the very first book. He is kept alive in memories by the other BOI and his parents and sister Stephanie who you see periodically through the series. Joe's in love with Stephanie bu...more

This is the 7th and final BOI ( Black Ops Inc) series book by author Cindy Gerard. Mean Joe Green always seems to be the most mysterious one of the group. You never really knew much about him. This book is all Joe. Bryan Tompkins was supposed to be a BOI. He is considered part of the group even though he was killed in the very first book. He is kept alive in memories by the other BOI and his parents and sister Stephanie who you see periodically through the series. Joe's in love with Stephanie but he decides he has to break it off to keep her safe. He thinks there was more to her brother Bryan's death than just bad intel that made their op go bad all those years ago. To that end the story takes us back to Sierra Leone where it all started with book one. Kind of neat how Ms. Gerard brings us full circle. Things don't go well for Joe though and he finds himself in jail, beaten and half starved. To his surprise it's Stephanie who comes to the rescue along with a a friend Suah who Joe has befriended. Things get dicey from there. Secrets revealed and lives put at risk. This is a journey to find answers. I was really excited to read Joe and Stephanie's story but was disappointed you really don't get any of the other BOI until the epilogue. I like how she wrapped it all up with updates on all the BOI's and i hate to see the series end but when you run out of team members there isn't much else you can do. I understand there is a new series in the works from Cindy and it starts with Mike "Primetime" Brown. He and his brother Ty get a part in Joe's book plus he's been in some of the other books as a pilot. Catch a excerpt of this new book at the back of Last Man Standing As for Last man Standing. I was glad to find out more about Stephanie who turns into a bad ass chick in this book and Joe who learns that Stephanie is way tougher than he thought. A great ending to a really great series that's full of hot sexy men and their kick ass women. 4 out of 5 Modokker book pick stars for Last Man Standing. Read more about this series and excerpts of each book on Cindy Gerard's website here www.cindygerard.com

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Feb 02, 2012 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, military-special-ops-romance

Love this series, but gotta say, as with the last bk I was a bit disappointed in this one. We've had snippets of the Stephanie/Joe relationship for a while now in past bks. Not a lot of romantic action in this story. Was it just me or did anyone else do the "you've got to be kidding me" eye roll at that romantic moment on the run in the Sierra Leone hood with a weak, beaten, recovering Joe!?!?!? Just over the top unbelievable. The duo's adventure was fast paced and held my attention and I did ha...more

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Dec 16, 2011 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

I got lucky and won an ARC from Cindy’s FB contest…I’m going to try and not give very much away here. Ms. Gerard mentioned she made several changes between the ARC and the final version. I will definitely be doing a re-read on January 31st to see how her changes impact the overall feel of the book.

Last Man Standing kicks off with Joe in serious trouble for his investigation into Bryan’s death. Thanks to Joe’s protective instincts…no one knows where he is or that he’s in danger.

Stephanie is the...more I got lucky and won an ARC from Cindy’s FB contest…I’m going to try and not give very much away here. Ms. Gerard mentioned she made several changes between the ARC and the final version. I will definitely be doing a re-read on January 31st to see how her changes impact the overall feel of the book.

Last Man Standing kicks off with Joe in serious trouble for his investigation into Bryan’s death. Thanks to Joe’s protective instincts…no one knows where he is or that he’s in danger.

Stephanie is the first to learn that Joe is in serious trouble and despite the fact that he broke her heart she tries to rally the troops to save him. Unfortunately the BOI’s are not available to help so it’s up to Stephanie to fly to Africa and bring Joe home. Stephanie gets help from unlikely sidekick to get Joe out of prison AND we also get to see more of Mike “Primetime” Brown, who we met in the last book. It turns out Mike has a brother, Ty. YUM!

I was on the edge of my seat more than once during Joe’s rescue and in the pursuit to catch the villain. The Brown brothers pitch in again to help Stephanie and Joe stop the bad guy. One of my fave lines of Mike’s in this book comes during the race to take down bad guys “People who work and live in this icebox are tougher than woodpecker lips.” LMAO!

The BOI’s are absent in most of this book, with the exception of a few phone calls between Rafe and Stephanie. This book centers almost entirely around Joe and Stephanie. I would have liked to have seen a bigger BOI presence, but like in the other books Last Man Standing ends with us once again gathered at the Tompkins house with all the BOI’s and their families together. For me the epilogue, where they are all gathered at the Tompkins is the best part of the book.

It’s so sad when a series like this comes to an end. I love all the BOI’s and I will miss catching up with their growing families and seeing how they are doing at the end of each book. I don’t know what Ms. Gerard is working on now, but I definitely wouldn’t mind a book featuring the Brown brothers with some glimpses of our BOI’s :)(less)

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Apr 04, 2012 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*No Spoilers* Cindy has done it again. With Last Man Standing, you won't be putting this book down for one minute but just prior to reading this, you'll get this feeling of sadness knowing that this is the last book in the series. You've become so entrenched with the characters, the storylines, the plots, the suspense, the constant action and the hot and steamy, and I mean hot and steamy romance, every story just reaches into your psyche allowing you to imagine and fantasize vividly. You'll be h...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: military-heroes, romantic-suspense

I gotta say, I was a bit disappointed with this book. After seeing all the four- and five-star reviews I was expecting an epic conclusion to the BOI series.
While the book was pretty great, I was a bit disappointed with the lack of action that this book had. Especially when Steph and Joe were back in the U.S. -- I have nothing bad to say about the Sierra Leone part of the book.
The fighting scenes in the mountains just seemed to be resolved a bit too easy for my liking. (view spoiler)...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Gina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-suspense

This is the final book in this series and I am so sad it's over, but I truly loved this book!

This is Mean Joe Green and Stephanie story, their relationship started a few books ago. Joe found out some information about the circumstances surrounding her brother Bryan's death and goes all rouge on everyone (including Stephanie) and decides to find out all by himself to nail the bad guy. So he ends his relationship with Stephanie (broke my heart the ass) and goes it alone..

Well he ends up in jail in...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Hope Frost rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like most others, when I heard this would be the final book in the BOI series, I went through the 4 stages of grief. I was intrigued how the author would bring this amazing series to a close and tie up all of the loose ends. I have to say, she did it, and she did it well. I loved Joe's book. This book had it all, a really bad villain that you hope dies a horrible death, a hero/heroine love story that you hope give them a HEA, then you throw in babies and past couples and you have a recipe for a...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review, rom-suspense, read-in-2012

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/01/31/...

Publisher: Pocket
Publish Date: January 31st
How I got this book: ARC from publisher

I put off reading those book as long as I could, because then I could fool myself into thinking the BOI series wouldn’t have to end. But all good things must come to an end, so as soon as I opened the first page in Joe’s book, I was sucked in and didn’t put it down until I was finished.

Joe has been haunted by the deal of former teammate Bryan fo...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Jimena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

The last book in the Black Ops Inc. series. All the men are crazy in love now, but ‘Mean’ Joe Green messed it up with Stephanie Tompkins in this one. Joe acting strange started out in the previous book With No Remorse when he found a picture. He decides to go to Sierra Leone to avenge his fallen brother-in-army Bryan Tompkins. He tells no one what he’s going to do and gets arrested. When Stephanie finds out and Black Ops Inc. isn’t able to help him, she goes herself. It’s just breaking Joe out o...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cindy-gerald

Joe and Stephanie - Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante. His mission: avenge his Black Ops, Inc., brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone. He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead. Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relations...more

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About Cindy Gerard

The only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing?

Actuall...more The only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing?

Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines."

Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun.

Cindy's writing has netted her spots on bestseller lists, numerous RT nominations and awards, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a National Reader's Choice Award and two RITA nominations.

Between writing and working full time you wouldn't think Cindy would have much time for anything else. And while she does find her work and her writing rewarding, there does have to be more. Cindy has more. Much more. She is happily married to the perfect man. Tom's a cowboy, ladies!

Yes, even Iowa has its share of that saddle-straddling, Wrangler-wearing species who love their horses almost as much as they love their women. As a matter of fact, recently a whole herd of Texans gathered at the Gerard "Ranch" to treat their little ones to real horseback rides. Go figure.

Cindy has a passion for pink depression glass — she always has her eye out for the special piece to add to her collection. Cindy's down time often takes the form of the classic "busman's holiday." She loves to read and most of all, she loves to read at their summer place, a cabin in the woods on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota.

Both Tom and Cindy enjoy gardening and have recently expanded their annual beds into a perennial garden. Cindy says she can hardly wait for spring and the promise of all that reawakening and the colorful blooms.

In addition to the horses, the Gerards have two dogs, Ellie and Boomer, who pretty much get anything they want. Tom and Cindy have one son, Kyle, who, after years of keeping them in suspense, found Eileen, the perfect woman.

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Last Man Standing (Black Ops Inc. #7)

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