Blindsided

Countermeasure: Bytes of Life #5

by Chris Almeida, Cecilia Aubrey

There are always two sides to every story. In BLINDSIDED, the fifth installment of Countermeasure: Bytes of Life, you will see the events of the early morning in Vyborg through Nathan Nelson’s eyes. Behind a stony façade, the CIA agent hides a troubled past, one he hasn't disclosed to anyone.

When Nathan finds himself in a compromising position with Nikol Petrovna, things heat up on a grand scale. Presented with a tempting offer, Nathan has a choice to make. Will he lay his cards on the table or keep them close to his heart?

Genres: Romantic Suspense

40 pages, ebook

First published December 12, 2012

About the author

Chris Almeida (also known as C. Almeida) began writing children’s stories at a very young age. Born in Brazil but currently living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Chris’ life took a totally different course when technology came into play, and the following 17 years were spent delving deep into the world of programming and web design.
It was in 2010, when Chris began role playing online as a hobby, that writing wormed its way back into the picture. This time, writing storylines for the role playing group.
The ideas and plots created for the game awoke the inner writer and a few months later, together with partner in crime C. Aubrey, began writing erotic romance.
Now, still together, they have written a number of short stories and novel. They are currently working on book three of their series as well as several short stories. Through it all they have continued to enjoy role playing through their favorite characters.

Chris welcomes feedback, input and comments from readers. You can get in touch via FB, email, Linked in and Goodreads. Links below:

https://www.facebook.com/Chris.Almeid...
calmeida@caduobooks.com
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/chrisalmeid...

Reviews

[Maria Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blindsided (Countermeasure: Bytes of Life #5)
By: Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey
EBook, EPUB, 40 pages
Published December 12th 2012 by Éire Publishing, LLC

There are always two sides to every story. In BLINDSIDED, the fifth installment of Countermeasure: Bytes of Life, you will see the events of the early morning in Vyborg through Nathan Nelson’s eyes. Behind a stony façade, the CIA agent hides a troubled past, one he hasn't disclosed to anyone.
When Nathan finds himself in a compromising position with Nikol Petrovna, things heat up on a grand scale. Presented with a tempting offer, Nathan has a choice to make. Will he lay his cards on the table or keep them close to his heart?

Another byte of life, that opens yet another door of interest and opportunity for us the reader to explore our favorite characters. Nathan’s bad butt attitude and seemingly chauvinistic treatment of Cassie got us off with a bad start, here we get to see a totally different side to him. This side allows us to take a step back, looking at him with different eyes. I must admit that Nathan getting himself into trouble for not cleaning his gun had me a bit peeved and then he added fuel to the fire with his treatment of Cassie. Cassie marvels me by still speaking to him and considering him a friend, despite Nathan’s opinion of Trevor. Well, needless to say the above assessment has left Nathan in the dog house with many fans. But in this byte, he is a new refreshing person. We also get to see more of Nikol and how her presence greatly affects him as she brings him down a peg or two but gains respect for him in the process.
I really enjoy the Bytes of life, these short stories allow us to delve deeper into the Countermeasures Series gaining better insight into their world. Nathan is an agent, he has to harden himself removing all vulnerability from his persona is a life saving defense mechanism; is also what we have all seen …till now. I welcomed the sight of a somewhat softer side to our bad boy…and it’s a good thing. Again Chris & Cecilia do not disappoint and this byte of life is an essential nutrient for our reading health and it will leave you the reader…Blindsided!
Stay up to date, you can Chris & Cecilia at: https://www.facebook.com/CAlmeida.CAu...
The Oracle (Maria Mercedes)
All synopsis are published by the publishers via Amazon, Goodreads or Barnes & Noble.
The Oracle Reviews: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph... http://theoraclereviews.com/ Reviews can be viewed on The Oracle Reviews, Good Reads & Amazon.
The Oracle Reviews purchases some titles, while others are provided via Netgalley, or the authors themselves. All opinions and reviews are our own, honest & from the heart.

[Amy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blindsided by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey definitely lives up to its name. I was completely surprised by this book. It isn’t like any of the other Bytes of Life stories, and the time frame in which it is set is the same time as the end of To Russia With Love, so you get to see the ending of that book from a different point of view. It is just so very cool the way Chris and Cecilia wrote this one.

Blindsided shows us Nathan and Nikol’s last encounter from To Russia With Love. Holy smokes was it an eye opener. I learned so much about Nathan and Nikol from this short story that my opinion of both of them has changed considerably. I don’t want to give anything else away or the effect of the book will be ruined, but let’s just say, if you read To Russia With Love, you HAVE to read Blindsided. The next full length novel (which I believe is Alternate Connection) in the Countermeasure series is not out yet, but I think Blindsided sets us up for that one. I highly recommend you read Blindsided even if you don’t read any of the other Bytes of Life short stories (but I hope you read them all).

[Rhayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

I absolutely love the writing style of Chris and Cecilia. The flow is natural and the attention to detail is impeccable. Each scene is described beautifully, with the perfect amount of balance. If you haven’t started this series yet, I cannot stress enough how much you are missing out. They really deliver the full package. You get steamy sex, heart stopping suspense, enticing emotion, and nonstop action. Countermeasure is hands down one of my favorite series.

entire review posted here: http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...

[Mayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say that readers do not already know. Leave it to Chris and Cecilia to create an illusion in one book and show us the depths of ones mind in actions in another. Blindsided will give you an inside look on Nathan as a man not the "ass" we all saw him as. His advice and life struggles will be revealed from behind the doors of the safe house in Russia with Nikol. The title in it self will describe that as true fans of the Countermeasure series that "we" will be "Blindsided" by what really goes on.

[cristina viladoms · Rating 1 out of 5]

repeat

It is just a repeat from the last chapter of To Russia with Love, could’ve been added there.
Not worth it.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth installment in the Bytes of Life portion of the Countermeasure Series. This short story is told from the points-of-view of Nathan Nelson and Nikol Petrovna. This is their story that took place in the morning, while everyone was in Russia. Even though the story only covers a few short hours of time, it dives deeper into the Nathan’s past and Nikol’s future.

Written with the same excellent style, that fans have thoroughly enjoyed, Blindsided takes a slight detour away from the hectic romantic suspense filled plot that consumes Trevor’s and Cassie’s lives. Nathan is a character that fans will either love-to-hate or hate-to-love and this is the story where his inner turmoil begins to shine through. Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey are an incredible writing duo. They keep the readers craving more. This is yet another must-read in an overall captivating series.

Out of all of the short stories, this was probably my least favorite, only because Nathan hasn’t fully redeemed himself in my eyes. However, I am excited and hopeful that Nikol returns. I see a lot of potential for this always-kicking-butt character.


Note:

The author provided a copy of this book for me to review. To learn more about these authors and their series, please visit their website.
http://www.countermeasureseries.com

This review was originally posted on my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews. To see this and other reviews, please visit my website at http://ariesgrlreview.com

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a short that covers only a few hours in the midst of a harrowing escape from St. Petersburg, this story brings some insight into one of the more controversial, and often least sympathetic of the recurring characters: Nathan Nelson, Cassie’s ex-partner in the CIA. It is often said that like recognizes like, and that recognition of another deeply wounded soul provides the basis for a very emotionally raw conversation between Nathan and Nikol, that is after an ‘almost’ sexual liaison, several physical alterations and more than a few glaring silences.

The authors have created another satisfying short story to fill in the blanks in the history of one of their more controversial characters. Written with the style that readers of the Countermeasure series have come to appreciate, this is a truly satisfying short with just enough questions unanswered that we know more is to come.

I was provided an ARC copy by authors for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Lori Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is set immediately after To Russia With Love and this Byte is Nathan's. I had always thought that Nathan was not the horrid monster Trev made him out to be. We get a touch of what has made Nathan who he is. We see heartbreak, a broken childhood, a need to love someone and be loved. Nathan is a jerk, yeah, but he is oh so much more....We get to witness the beginnings of, if not a friendship, at least some grudging respect between Trev and Nathan. And a perfect set up for the next novel...As usual, this is well written with deep characters. The back and forth banter is amazing! With each book, the writing gets better, smoother....This series is handsdown my favorite because of the realistic characters. Each character has flaws, secrets, something that make them real and not just words and descriptions on paper. Just utterly amazing!

[Cinthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short story we know a little more Nathan Nelson, the CIA agent, the old friend of Cassandra, and monitor a scene that occurred in To Russia with Love for what happened in Nate's room.

I'm already more anxious for 'Alternate Connection' and what will happen with Nathan.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been so amazing. Exciting and hot all rolled up into one. Ready for more!

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay book