Invincible

The Trident Code #1

by Alana Albertson

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. Expanded edition, with Annie's POV, 15,000 more words, new twist, more emotion. This is a full length novel, 60,000 words. New Adult Romantic Thriller. This book is intended for readers 18+.

I’ll be honest with you—I’m no hero. Sure, the media tries to brand every Navy SEAL as some kind of Batman dressed in cammies. There’s even a line in one of our cadences: Superman is the man of steel, he ain’t no match for Navy SEAL. You’ve seen the movies—we’re infallible, invaluable, invincible. But that night, the one you read about in the papers … all I really wanted to do was get laid.

One harmless fuck with an Aruban whore, no strings attached. I picked her out of a lineup—wild, dark hair, long legs and a crooked smile. After she sucked me off, I relaxed back onto the creaky, cum-stained cot, thankful for the blissful moments she gave me when I actually forgot for a second the faces of my buddies who died because I made the wrong call, the tears of the children I couldn’t save, and the eyes of the enemies I slaughtered during their last seconds of life.

But before I left, her hazel eyes peered into my soul. She whispered in a distinct Californian accent, “My name is Annie Hamilton. I’m an American citizen. I was kidnapped on spring break five years ago. You’re my last hope. Please save me.”

One desperate plea. This wasn’t a Hollywood blockbuster or a New York Times best-selling thriller. I knew this time there was no room for excuses, no margin for errors. I had one chance to put on the cape and be her hero.

Genres: Military Fiction, Romance, Dark, Abuse, New Adult, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2014

About the author

Alana Albertson is a multi-award winning author, current President of Romance Writers of America's Contemporary Romance Chapter and the former President of both Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult and Chick Lit chapters. Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance, new adult and young adult fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and four dogs. When she’s not spending her time playing with her sons, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes Homeland, Devious Maids, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.

Reviews

[Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is all I'm going to say about this book

Firstly, I love anti-heroes, bad guys with questionable intentions, cruel and sadistic tendencies. But, there's a huge BUT, don't give me an anti-hero and try to make me think he's a good guy. Better yet, one who recites his "seal code" and then goes on about how he'd die for his country, but then acts all contradictory by being a stupid douche nugget.

Strike one: He goes to a brothel.



Strike 2: He goes to a brothel, knowing the women there are not there willingly.



Strike 3 : He refers to these women as whores, this all changes when he finds out the heroine is american (suddenly she's not a whore)



strike 4: His friend decides to take one for the team, this is a spoiler so I can't explain, but then chickens out because he's scared it'll be an American and he doesn't want to deal with that shit.



That's as far as I got, 25% I'm not scared of admitting it, but this was a first for me. I didn't like the hero and quite frankly I don't care if he becomes a better person later on either.




ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review

[Aestas Book Blog]

Holy hell, guys!! Read this blurb -- WOAH!!!!

I'll be honest with you—I'm no hero. Sure—the media tries to brand every Navy SEAL as some kind of Batman dressed in cammies. There’s even a line in one of our cadences—"superman is the man of steel, he ain’t no match for Navy SEAL." You've seen the movies—we're indestructible, invincible, invulnerable. But that night, the one you read about in the papers—all I really wanted to do was get laid.

One harmless fuck with a Curaçao whore—no strings attached. I picked her out of a lineup—wild, dark hair, long legs and a crooked smile. After she sucked me off, I relaxed back onto the creaky, cum-stained cot, thankful for the blissful moments she gave me when I actually forgot for a second the faces of my buddies who died because I made the wrong call, the tears of the children I couldn't save, and the eyes of the enemies I slaughtered during their last seconds of life.

But before I left, her green eyes peered into my soul. She whispered in a distinct Boston accent, "My name is Annie Baylis. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."

One desperate plea. This wasn’t a Hollywood blockbuster or a New York Times best-selling thriller. I knew that this time there was no room for excuses, no margin for errors. I had one chance to put the cape on and be her hero.

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 9, 2014

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars!



This review is for an expanded version and while I liked this version much more than the original, overall the book didn’t really hit my I-loved-it buttons.

The updated version of the book has:

- dual POVs (the original was entirely from Patrick’s POV). I’m really happy to see more of Annie’s thoughts in the story, especially when they’re not from Pat’s POV. It really helped me connect to her character better and I think out of all the characters in the book, she’s my favorite.
- a couple of twists: I don’t want to give it away but there is a new character in the book and this person is directly related to Annie. This twist does add a new layer to the story and it was interesting to see how well Pat took to this character.
- the ending: I did not see that coming but I will say…I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Normally I do not re-read books nor am I willing to give them a second chance – I’ll get bored reading the same thing you know? However, I felt compelled to give this one another try because the blurb was truly like a magnetic force and out of curiosity I wanted to see if the changes would be able to sway my initial rating for the better – sadly, it didn’t do too much for me.

I like this author’s writing style and the book premise is extremely intriguing; however, I’ve realized that for me, this book was doomed from the start: a Navy SEAL going to a brothel? Really? That just left a bad taste in my mouth and the fact that this SEAL is an arrogant, cocky bastard for a good part of the book didn’t really garner any positive attention from me.

I suppose if I read the new version AND if it was my first time reading the story I would’ve given it a higher rating but in all honesty – first impressions are important. The fact that I wasn’t impressed the first time around stuck in my head and it probably did affect my enjoyment when I read this new version again. I think for those that were really interested in the book from before should give it a try as I do believe the differences were considerably effective in improving the story.

ARC provided by Bolero Books in exchange for an honest review.

*********************
Old review for the original version in the spoiler

My feelings for the book can be described in one sentence: I liked it but didn't love it.

I think for me, I've read a lot of romantic suspense that involves SEALS or just men in uniform and Invincible just fell on the flat side of the scale. It definitely didn't have the pulse-pounding, heartstopping moments I expected it to, but nevertheless, I still liked the premise and the basic bones of the story.

Some things I didn't like:

- The rescuing Annie operation: this was probably the most climactic of events in the book yet I felt so underwhelmed. I don't know if it's the methods Patrick took to save Annie but I felt like I was watching a cartoon or anime rescuing stage and never felt the seriousness behind it.

- How everything was tidied up all nicely: from rescuing Annie to getting her back to the US to her recovery and MARRIAGE?! and her accepting what her father said at the end?! was wrapped up with a perfect bow. I wasn't wowed at all, actually I was left with my mouth hanging open at the almost absurd sequence of events. Perhaps if the book were longer there'd be more time for character/plot development.

If you were interested in this book before, I suggest you try it out. Maybe you will like it more than I did.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5--Took a Nose-Dive--Stars!

Hmm....well things were really going along fine until towards the end of the book.....and then I had a big



moment. And things never recovered from there.

I noticed that I was getting close to the end. And I started to think it might have a cliffy ending--which would have pissed me the fuck off--but then BAM everything comes together and The End!



Yeah, not good.

And quite frankly the whole sex slave, captive, captor, rescuer scenario....yeah I'm



So Patrick is a Navy SEAL, which we are reminded of repeatedly. And I get it....you're a badass, SEALs are awesome, but it was almost overkill.

Patrick is on break, or whatever you call it, after his latest mission. He doesn't do girlfriends or relationships after being scorned by his last one. So instead he pays for sex.



His latest brothel visit, lands Patrick in "Star's" room. Where he gets the best bj of his life. As Patrick is leaving Star whispers in his ear....

"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."

At first Patrick doesn't believe her, but a little internet research tells him she's telling the truth. And she's been missing for five years. So now Patrick makes it his mission to save Annie.

I thought the whole rescue was packaged too nicely. It was like they just waltzed in and took her. Not even sure why they bothered shooting the guys....didn't seem like it was necessary. Not to mention that one guy was in a band...and what? No one was even looking for him??



Once Annie is rescued Patrick returns her to her family and he is off on another mission. And since he's a SEAL and is on mission's nine months out of the year a relationship would never work. Which he keeps reminding us. Over and over and over again.



So then it makes NO SENSE to me how, once Patrick and his mission are complete and Annie shows up to greet him, the relationship could escalate at the rate it did.

And when Patrick proposed just so Annie could get updates on his wearabouts while he was on the mission??? And he hadn't even told her he loved her???





The rest of the book was a whirlwind. And I just didn't get the whole "side" story involving her dad.

I know this is Trident Code #1.... but really this was more of a novella length book. Are the other books about Kyle and Vic? Or continuing Patrick and Annie's story? Do I even care?? I don't think so.

Too many holes, too rushed at the end, relationship wasn't believable, insta love.

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is for the updated and extended version
2- 2.5 Stars

You aren't invisible- you're invincible. I know you're alive. I know your name. You've survived this long and I will get you out of here."

As much as I tried my damnedest to get into this book, that's the one thing that kept running through my mind while reading. I couldn't find it in me to care for the hero, I couldn't find it in me to care for the heroine, and I most definitely couldn't find it in me to care for Patrick's "teammates".

I'm not looking for my books to be highly realistic. It's fiction. I get it. Believe me. BUT, some of the things that take place in this book bothered me even if I suspended my disbelief. So what didn't work for me? (Everything) But let me try to explain.

1. Patrick

He's a SEAL. In case you find yourself forgetting this anywhere throughout the story, worry not! The SEAL mantras will be on constant repeat to the point where you could probably recite them by memory at the end of the book. Really. Now I'm all for a bad boy, or anti-hero if you will. But Patrick? Possibly the least endearing hero I've read in a while. He's a SEAL that's all about his "code" (see above mentioned mantras). Yet he goes to a brothel and pays a whore for a blow job. Wouldn't a SEAL that's seen the type of things he has have a better idea of human trafficking and that not all of the "whores" may be willing participants? But that's neither here nor there, and I could have moved past this if not for the rest.

2. The 'Search and Rescue' mission. Still find it hard to grasp at how easily everything went down. But again, I could have looked past even this.

3. Patrick's friend and fellow 'SEAL', Kyle
Now here is where I found myself going from a slow boil to RAGEY. This is a mild spoiler, so I'll spoiler it for those that want to read. After Annie is rescued, she's going through detox for her long addiction to heroine. Patrick takes care of her during this and looks in on her Enter stage right, Kyle

Couldn't stay away from her for a day. We've been back, what, five hours? Have you already hit that?

May I remind you that Annie has been forced to be a prostitute for the past 5 years, raped and drugged up to her eyeballs. You've now been fed every SEAL mantra you could fit into the first half, and THIS is what he asks? If you're like me, you may find yourself thinking, "Really?"

And let's not forget him "taking one for the team" in another brothel while searching for Annie. I'd suggest he look up one of those SEAL mantras, but I don't think they cover douchebags.


3. Annie's "fixation" on Patrick. Here's where I think my main problem was. I never truly felt that connection with Annie and Patrick. It just seemed that she fixated on him because he was the only one that 'understood her'. I dunno. At this point I wasn't really feeling much in this story.

and the final straw that broke the camel's back?

4. The ending.
A lot of buildup, more buildup, a little more buildup
BAM!
HEA

It felt rushed. I wanted...no I NEEDED more. An explanation. Another chapter. Anything. Whereas what I got was a quick wrap up with an epilogue.

Will I read the next book in this series? NO. Sorry. I may read Vic's book. But Kyle? HELL NO.

Will I read another book by this author? I think so. I can see that she has real talent and I enjoyed her writing style (just not the story...obviously). She had all the right ingredients with this book, but the delivery fell flat. That's not to say I wouldn't enjoy a different book from her.

I know I sound harsh in my review, but that's simply because this just managed to push some of my no no buttons. Don't let me deter you from reading the book. I tend to be a little more picky with my books, so some of the things that bothered me, may not necessarily bother you.

***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***

For more reviews visit

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

That is my past-but I won’t let it define my future.

Invincible sucks you in from the very beginning, keeping you glued to the pages which made it a one-sit read for me. Who would have ever thought that getting a blow job would turn his world upside down, all Pat wanted was some relief on his day off and what did he get …

“My name is Annie Hamilton. I’m an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You’re my last hope. Please save me.”

He may be a Seal but damn, he can’t just go rogue and help this drugged out whore out, but something about those eyes, the accent just keeps her on him mind...Needing more information he researched up Annie’s disappearance and when things add up he knows he has no choice...

I knew this time there was no room for excuses, no margin for errors. I had one chance to put on the cape and be her hero.

Five years of living in hell, Annie is no longer the same person she once was, how could she pretend like nothing happened like they want you to? Physically she was free but mentally she is just as trapped, and the only one who sees you as a beautiful-surviving girl is the one who pushes you away. Unable to forgive himself for how they met, and what he made her do, he keeps her at arm’s length but she didn’t just get saved to be told what she can and cannot do, especially who she is allowed to see.

I waited for five years for someone to save me. I’d wait another five years for you to come back home to me.

Invincible is about "being at the right place at the right time", "everything happens for a reason", "meant to be" and every other thing you can think of. The story started off on the darkerside of life but as it progressed things were getting brighter and brighter, ending up in the land of rainbows and gumdrops. It was pretty much two extremes. Although I am thrilled there was HEA after all the ugliness, it was a little too perfect, making it feel too good to be true. There were things I hoped that were different, the rescue and all the family drama but it is what it is. It was a read that I enjoyed but badly wanted to love, which was no fault to the author, it was just my opinion and preference. I heard there was an updated copy so this review is based on the ARC copy that is available on Netgalley.

ARC kindly provided by Bolero Books, LLC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 2 out of 5]

J&G : 2.5 Stars

We are U.S. Navy SEALs.
There’s no need to thank us because we don’t exist.
You never saw us.
This never happened.
-ANONYMOUS. ‘

Gitte: Ahhh Jenny, this breaks my heart writing this review. I was absolutely gagging to read this story after a fantastic sneak peek at chapter one a while back on our blog. It had such potential and looked as if it was going to be just our kind of read; the premise sounded FAB. The hot Navy Seal ‘kick arse’ rescuer and the dark and horrific fate of a girl kidnapped and forced into sex slavery.

“My name is Annie Hamilton. I’m an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You’re my last hope. Please save me.”

It just never really came to anything did it? It never peaked; there was never that dark and gritty tension and it felt so rushed with barely any detail. I just couldn’t connect to the characters though I did feel Patrick had a heart of gold, real strength and courage of convictions. It could have been an amazing read; it really could because the writing was strong and the premise fabulous. However, it was almost monotonous and as we moved through the story Patrick came across almost robotic in actions and thoughts.

‘I would not fail Annie. I don’t fail. I am never out of the fight.’

I don’t know what to say without sounding really harsh so I apologise in advance; but parts of this story felt almost unbelievable in light of the fact we were dealing with a woman kidnapped; kept as a sex slave and drugged up to her eyeballs; the behaviour of Annie was mind boggling and I just didn’t understand her character.

“You aren’t invisible – you’re invincible.”

I did think the writing style was good, it flowed really well and it vividly placed the images of the story in my head at times. However, with great writing you still need a great story as well as the emotional aspects and sadly this wasn’t it for me; I felt detached throughout.

Invincible was an okay-ish read for me as I didn’t at any stage want to leave it unfinished, but that’s all really. You felt the same didn’t you Jenny?

Jenny: Sadly, I share your sentiments Gitte and like you I’m gutted to have to write this review. If you had asked me a week ago to name one of my most anticipated books ,it would have been Invincible, without a second thought. How could I not be excited for this book after THAT synopsis and THAT first chapter preview? Wow! I was chomping at the bit to read this one. In fact, we were so excited about the release of this one, we discussed it with the girls and decided it was going to be our next Bookclub read . We normally don’t get the chance to read along with our gorgeous Bookclub girls so we were excited and put this one up sight unseen, which is something we never do. Honestly, we couldn’t see how it wouldn’t be a hit. It certainly had all the makings for a kick arse Navy Seal book and we were all salivating whilst impatiently waiting for release date.

‘I had one chance to put the cape on and be her hero.’

The premise of this story was fantastic and my thoughts were “this can’t fail”, so it pains me to say, that it did. I didn’t experience any kind of connection to any of the characters and actually found the sex scenes to be a bit uncomfortable at times and some felt decidedly awkward and out of place. There was one scene in particular that made me shudder at Patricks physical feelings and internal monologue when Annie was suffering. As I said…awkward.

As you said G, I did love the hero side of the story and I do love a good Navy Seal story, throw in a rescue and love story and I’m there. This did have the odd moment that I enjoyed, but the actions of Patrick and Annie had me shaking my head at times and the story felt rushed and unfinished. I agree this author has a great writing style and only wish she had executed Invincible better because it had the scope to be an amazing read.

“I’ve dreamt of you. I just knew you were sent for me. You are my only hope.”

Like you G, I did HAVE to finish it, I couldn’t not, and that is something I guess because I felt I needed to see it through to the end. Unfortunately I didn’t experience the drama, suspense and passion the way I had hoped I would.

G&J: So it is with a heavy heart we say this was a bit of a fizzer for us. The author had brilliant ideas and on some levels the story did play out satisfactorily but it didn’t wow us. We felt aspects of the story weren’t explored enough and there quite a few inconsistencies. In fairness, we have to say that some of the readers in our Bookclub loved this book and can’t wait for more which goes to prove that reading is subjective and everyone will experience different feelings after reading Invincible. It’s with a heavy heart that we didn’t experience this story the way they did and that this is a case where, for us, the story didn’t live up to the synopsis.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Alana Albertson]

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read of revised story on 5/17/2014: An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Invincible was revised recently and comes packed with not only a dual point of view but some twists to the story-line that I was not expecting at all.

Normally when an author revises their book I don’t go back to read the updated version. But with Invincible, I felt that I just needed to. There was something so magnetic about the blurb of this story and I needed to see if the revised version with the added dual point of views and the new plot twist could recapture that same level of excitement.

The gist of the story remains the same and the changes that revolve around the twist to the story-line are not something that I will touch upon, beyond that it worked – really, really well. The addition of Annie’s point of view also gave a new insight into her character, although Patrick had his own emotional hang-ups, Annie was the one that had suffered. Getting into her head was much needed, it allowed a little deeper connection to the character and to her story. I think for the most part on my initial read of the story – everything felt like it was just Patrick’s story and that Annie was there, but not so much a main character. Giving Annie a stronger voice throughout this story enhanced the story for me.

There were still a few moments towards the end where I felt like I was reading a book on fast forward, however the added twists to the story-line explained some of the need for Patrick to move as quickly as he did.

After reading both versions of this story and looking back at my original review, I think part of me was looking to find a much darker anti-hero type in Patrick. A man that might have goodness at his core, but the kind of man that had buried it years ago – waiting for someone to be willing to work hard enough to uncover the man he was meant to be. With the second reading, Patrick seemed like much more of cautious hero, who at the core always wanted something beyond what he had. Being a SEAL was his life and that was enough for him at the time, but he wanted to have someone by his side, waiting for him to come home. That version of Patrick made an appearance in this revised book and it worked better with the direction of the story.

Original Review
3.5 Stars



Patrick is a Navy Seal, a man that has dedicated his life to serve his country. Nothing else matters. He has no woman at home waiting for him, praying for his safe return. Beyond his mother the only thing he has is his oath as a soldier and his brothers. When he walks into the brothel he never expected the words that came from her mouth, he never expected to believe her.

"I never made any commitments - except to my country and to my men. Sleeping with a prostitute was the definition of safe sex to me."



Annie was just a teenage girl on a cruise with her boyfriend when she was taken. Five years later she's a junkie and a whore; bought to be used. When she's done with Patrick, there is something about him that gives her hope.

"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."



Patrick knew he could face punishment if he went rogue to save her, but he also knew that if he followed the rules, the red tape would take too much time and her life was at stake. He wished he could have taken her that night, but he had to deploy and there was no time to execute his mission. Returning for her was his only plan. But when he returns to find the brothel burnt to the ground he and two of his brothers go in search for her - to rescue her - to bring her home.



I am a little torn over this story. I absolutely loved the blurb to this story; I had my expectations set to dizzying heights. I didn't expect the story to play out quite like it did; more sweet than stubborn and damaged. I loved the dedication that he had to what he was doing and being a soldier meant that even if he wanted to erase those words from his memory; he just couldn't do it. But the breakneck speed in which the end of this story occurred had me a little disappointed. It just seemed like he went from screaming NO to wanting to give her everything; without really any clear idea of how he got to that point. I understood that an event in his past made him feel a certain way, but that wasn't played up enough to really explain his reluctance at for the majority of this book but it was mentioned enough to make me question the 180 towards the end. Another 20/25 pages would have allowed the ending more time to settle in and feel less rushed for me.



I loved the idea of this story. Soldier gets blowjob from whore only to discover she was kidnapped and sold into the sex trade... Soldier who never wanted more than his missions is now attached to a woman that he saved, said woman can't go back to the life she had - the people that can't look at her without seeing five years of her being used... and even the twist thrown in at the end added the drama and suspense that the first part of the story was missing - I am not sure if the next story will be based on one of the other Seals or if they'll continue on with their story, I just know that it didn't feel complete yet. There is just a bit more to this story needed to really bring it to the proper conclusion.

Overall I enjoyed this story, I was dying to get my hands on it and have to admit some of my feeling of being let down is due to the excitement over what is one of the most intriguing blurbs I've seen in a while (those things suck me in just like a pretty cover).

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Signed, SEALed, and Delivered Stars * * *

We live our lives every day and don’t think about all of the horrific events which take place all around the world. Does that make us heartless… no it makes us normal everyday people. Until something happens and it is brought to our attention either through the media or because of a personal connection, we do not think of the evil which takes place every hour of every day.

Invincible by Alana Albertson addresses just that… every day people being captured; taken and turned into sex slaves. Annie was on a cruise with her boyfriend; got drunk and somehow disappeared while the ship was docked. There was conjecture of her:

Being murdered by the boyfriend
Distraught, depressed and committing suicide
Falling overboard and drowning
Her possibly being abducted and sold into the sex slave industry

The boyfriend’s life was ruined and forever tainted as the guy who may have murdered his girlfriend; the parents presented themselves as heartbroken. They put out a $300,000 reward for their daughter and was even taken by con artists claiming able to find her.

These things had been in the news and years went by. Patrick is minding his own business; he and his other SEAL team members are in Curacao on leave from their vessel and looking to cut loose. Patrick doesn’t look for tourist playmates; he likes to have no ties; no feelings; just a sure thing. Sex he pays for. Is he proud of it, no…. but he knows what he needs… a quick release and done.
He finds a brothel, sees a gal with haunted eyes and asks for her.

As he gets ready to leave from the quick relief he allowed himself, the girl looks at him and quietly says she is an American citizen abducted 5 years ago from a cruise ship and he is her last hope. He leaves and is confused, angry and pulled in a few directions. He can’t believe this is happening and because he is who he is…. Meaning Navy SEAL… he will decide to look into this claim from this girl. She did have the California accent he was so familiar with and in the back of his head he thought there was something nagging him about her. In addition to all of these gut feelings he is having… she had the craziest tattoo on her ankle of a cartoon character he remembered from his own life.

He goes and looks on the net and discovers all of the information he needs to verify what she said is true….. from the tattoo to the scar she had on her shoulder. Now he is in a hole… all of his training and protective urges call to him… how in the hell is he going to get her out of there… because there is no doubt…. That is what he is going to do…. Get this girl out and back to her family…. End of story.

Except there are a couple of problems…. Like it is against regs to do anything like this; he could lose his career. If he goes through channels it will take forever and the locals are probably on the take so the girl will be gone or worse…

No, Patrick Walsh, Navy SEAL will bring in his fellow brothers who he trusts and they will handle it on their own.

This story is told from Patrick’s POV and he has a very distinct concept of how things are supposed to be. He has seen and even experienced cheating girlfriends and wives; this has formed his ideas of relationships while being a SEAL. They just don’t work. He respects women; his mother was an amazing one but fell for the wrong men. He does have issues with women in the service and on the front lines; they can do administrative stuff and nursing but they really have no play in harm’s way.

He is sure in his not getting involved until retirement…. Until Annie…

Annie has survived this ordeal for 5 years by holding onto hope…. And somehow, through all of this, has held onto some inner strength.

Was this a realistic story of how someone would be saved from this type of life? I really don’t know. I do know the intent was a positive one with the imparting of the SEAL’s code throughout the book. I do think the addressing of young college age women disappearing is important and anything which causes the spotlight on a terrible situation is good.

This is written with secondary characters ready to have their own tale.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Review exchanged for an honest review via Netgally.!*
REVIEW ON THE NEW VERSION.



Note; The author edited and re-published this book due to reader's feedback. The new version will re-release in late May, and will include the female lead's POV, 15,000 extra words, and a new twist - now making Invincible stand at over 200 pages.

This is a dark NA read, and it's the first (stand-alone) book in The Trident Code series.

Invincible follows the story of Patrick, a Navy SEAL, who meets a girl in a brothel, whilst on holiday on an island. He pays her to give him head, even though he suspects she ain't there willingly.



"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."

Annie's last words haunt Patrick after he leaves, and not being able to rest until he does so, he searches for a 'kidnapped Annie Hamilton'. Sure enough, he finds all the proof he needs that it's the same girl. With the help of his other Navy buddies, they come up with a plan to save her.

When he finally rescues Annie, he can't wait to get rid of her because he doesn't want to get 'attached'. Afterall, she is 'just a mission' to him.

Throughout the book he was all like...



'Patrick has one chance to be Annie's hero'...or will he be an insufferable ass instead? (<---- lol, i'm hilarious).

Annie; In the beginning, she is a depressed drug addict. We do get to hear about some of her 'costumers', and see what it's like in the brothel she is in.
I did not like her, nor did I hate her. Annie was very glingy, pathetic and at times a rather naïve protagonist; she constantly threw herself at Patrick when she wanted something, but I guess this could be backed up by the fact that she might not have known another way, as she spent a few years as a, ermm, prostitue. She was also coming off drugs.

I found it ridicilous how the author tries to portrait her as a 'strong' female lead, and even Patrick constantly describes her as such. Does a 'strong' woman think a man superior over her? Rely on him completely for everything, by choice? BEG a strange man - 'don't leave'? If she was the character that the author wanted her to be, I think she would be her own 'hero'. Though, I do admit, she did need Patrick's help to get her out, but after that?
She'd do just fine if she really wanted and tried.



Patrick; I didn't like him either. He was a total asshole.
Patrick has been cheated on by his girlfriend whilst deployed, so now he doesn't believe that those sorts of relationships will ever work. On vocation, all 'he wanted to do was get laid' with no strings attached. I thought of him as an average asshole most men are on a daily basis; being rude, disgusting, and just full of shit - mostly the latter.

Patrick always states that 'he ain't a cheater', I find that amusing since he obviously wants to – every time there are 'hot chicks' around, he just stares and admires their 'sexy asses'. He even did that when he introduced Annie to his mother during a barbecue or something. No to mention how he couldn't stop thinking about fucking Annie, after she gave him a BJ in the brothel and he left.



He was not only full of shit, but full of himeself too. I lost count how many times he said something along the lines of 'I'm a Navy SEAL' or 'being a Navy SEAL...'. WE.GOT.IT.THE.FIRST.TIME. Thank you.



The premise of Invincible was fantastic, however the actual book didn't reach it. I'm scared to think what the old version of the book was like, since this one wasn't great either.

Invincible was the sort of book that 'tells', not 'shows'. Alana Albertson tells us Annie and Patrick 'love' each other. Tells us that he is a 'good man', and she is a 'strong woman'. But that's all there is to it.

However, I gave it 3 stars because I was impressed by the knowledge/research about Navy SEALS (my brother is one so I know what i'm talking about), and so did the author. The book, though badly written, wasn't boring. I was mostly entertained and kept turning the pages...and for some reason, I WILL read the next one.

Sincerely – The Critic.

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me.

Well, I truly do think that the blurb is one of the most exciting and tantalising I have ever read. I saw that synopsis and knew that I had to read it. In fact, I bought it the second it went live on Amazon and started it straight away, thoroughly captivated by the thought of a tough, alpha, Navy SEAL heading off to rescue a kidnapped girl, forced to work as a prostitute. Who doesn’t love a Navy SEAL right?

In the end it really saddens me to have to say that while I liked this book, I didn’t really love it anywhere as much as I thought I was going to. It was just an okay read for me.

As the blurb states, Patrick realises the hooker he’s paid for is an American citizen forced into prostitution against her will. A little research on the internet reveals that she’s been missing for a number of years and is from a wealthy and high-profile family. Patrick enlists two of his SEAL buddies and they head out on a unsanctioned, under the radar rescue mission.

At this point, I was kind of losing interest in Patrick a little – he was a bit too hooyah and was constantly quoting the SEAL code of conduct but he seemed to have very little identity of his own. I never felt that I knew Patrick other than that he’s a SEAL and his character was never fully developed enough for me to be able to connect with him and identify with him in any way.

Annie, the girl he sets out to rescue, also fell a little flat for me. I think the rescue and the detox was done well (she has become addicted to heroin) but after that the story seemed to lose direction and Annie’s recovery from her ordeal, to me at least, seemed a little unreal and far too rapid. There was a great opportunity here to explore how someone like Annie adapts and re-integrates back into a normal life but, somehow, this felt like it was pushed under the carpet so we could focus on Annie and Patrick’s relationship and we never really got to know Annie that well as we never heard her POV – this is all told from Patrick’s standpoint.

The book’s relatively short and I really think we could have done with a hundred or so more pages to really flesh out the characters and delve a little deeper into the emotions that they all experienced which were largely rushed past. I feel so sad to write a review like this – I so very much wanted to like this book but, on reflection, it felt a little shallow and disappointing. The blurb had massive potential which, sadly, the book never really lived up to.

3 disappointing stars

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[Ashleyjo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really, really bad start that just never climbs out of the gutter.

Okay, so the MC going to a prostitution ho in the wall didn't exactly sit well with me, but it didn't make me hate him the way some of the other reviewers did. He explained his reasoning, and although not particularly a chivalrous act, I can accept his reasoning, rationale for going there. Moving on...

What did immediately make him an unlikable character for me was that his "prostitute" tells him she's a kidnapped American named Annie & asks for his help escaping sex slavery. He leaves, intent to forget her. What an ass! His character is immediately in the dumpster for me.

Later, his conscious spurs him to look her up on the internet to see if she's really WHO she claims. His inner monologue is all about how beautiful she was in her pictures, that she came from a nice American family that's wealthy, she was an all American college girl, blah, blah. He resigns himself to help her IF she is who she says she is, that being this particular American girl. What if she wasn't? What about the other girls there, the ones not American? Not beautiful? Not kidnapped college girls?

Look, I'm not saying he should've been all super hero r us & vow to save the world's sex slave population, but fu€k there's just nothing swoon worthy or honorable about a guy a) supposed to be a badass SEAL but runs when a sex slave asks for help b) is only willing to help THIS American girl, WITH NO CONCERN for the other girls there. Again, his character is in the dumpster and more shit is being loaded atop him by the page.

And, yes, when the rescue takes place they "herd" the other girls into a different room and LEAVE THEM THE FUCK THERE.

This book hit a nerve with the SEALS and Annie never trying to help the others, even if that was just to tell someone about the other girls.

I continued reading because I really prayed that somehow the author could redeem this book, these characters. Maybe they'd realize the error and go back, but no. He goes on a mission and she goes to a posh rehab.

Six months FF...

Sadly, it just never redeemed itself:(

The way Annie throws herself at him is just a huge red flag. He pushes, she pulls. I can't count how many times she grabs his crotch and begs him to screw her. She's broken and this is versed like a damn love story.

From the blow job scene forward, the rescue withstanding, theres always this hint of asshole selfishness that just never goes away. Even his "respecting" her and wanting to take things slow isn't really about her; it's about him. He admits to himself how he's bothered by picturing all the men she's been with as a sex slave. He doesn't want to get cheated on. He begrudges she comes from money. Blah, blah. He talks about how she's not ready emotionally and the next sentence is how hot she is. He reads her the riot act about texting Chris and accuses her of being a cheater, but the very next morning he is admiring another girl's ass and reminiscing about how he and his buddy would be knee deep in Playboy mansion cooch... ~If not for Annie, of course.~ He talks a great deal to himself about her needs, but his actions are ALL about what he wants and needs.

In warp speed fashion this goes from him not even wanting her as a one nighter or a girlfriend to him damn proposing marriage! Wtf? There was no in between story at all.

The writing itself was subpar. The convos just weren't believable, authentic. At times, the characters just had diarrhea of the mouth where they'd spew toms of info in one damn quote. At other times, it was simply the phrasing of things that was out of place; for example, she often referred to herself as a sex slave... "Is it because I was a sex slave?" Who would say that in that way? More like...' Is it because of my past,' 'what happened to me,' ' what was done to me,' 'all the men that have rapped me?'

The mystery plot, which wasn't so mysterious, just wasn't logical. Think of the hundreds of thousands spent covering this shit up and then ask why wouldn't that money have been used to have her simply removed and offered a new life away from any potential embarrassment, or even killed. Hell, the same thing could've been done (cover up) as it was when he rescued her 3 yrs later. A rich, former Annapolis grad wouldn't have left loose ends, wouldn't have thrown money all around the problem.. He'd have solved that shit or buried it in money.

Bottom line:

The MC is NOT a likable character for me. The way Annie lusts, chases, and bends to him & the way she didn't even look back for the other girls in her same situation made it very hard to even empathize with her, much less like her. The moral compass of this book is off. The writing is lacking. The story moved at warp speed. And the secondary plot just wasn't believable.

[sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ammmmmmmmmm... Para empezar tengo que decir que no tenía muchas expectativas con este libro. Estaba buscando algo mmm diferente, pero bueno, por azares de la vida lo empecé.

Tengo que decir que nunca antes he leído algo parecido a esto. Con lo del tráfico humano, el SEAL y eso. En ese sentido ha estado ummm ¿bien? Pero venga, seamos realistas. La protagonista, Annie, fue secuestrada hace 5 años y la obligaban a prostituirse y a drogarse con heroína. Sinceramente no entiendo mucho sobre el tema del mono, pero me resulta muy poco creíble que Annie deje de ser adicta en tan solo dos semanas. Y luego ¿se recupera de todo el trauma del secuestro, de las violaciones, de las drogas, de todo, en tan solo tres semanas? ¿Con yoga? ¿y con la presencia de Patrick?



En su favor dice "no voy a dejar que me controle" y vale, eso se lo concedo porque es lógico. Pero no me parece muy normal que se recupere tan pronto.

Luego está la cosa de que Pat se tira todo el maldito libro diciendo que no quiere tener ninguna relación de cualquier tipo con nadie. Llega Annie, la salva, la lleva a casa, pasan tres semanas, y de la noche a la mañana están juntos. Es decir, él le dice que no puede prometerle nada. Vale, eso también se lo doy porque se tira nueve meses o más sin pisar su casa y es normal que no quiera hacerle eso a nadie (también porque teme que le engañen) El caso es que de buenas a primeras los dos están juntos. Pasan como dos días desde que hablan sobre ella quedándose en California mientras él se va a una misión. ¿Al siguiente? Él piensa que ya es hora de que le diga la verdad a Annie. ¿La verdad? ¿Qué verdad? Que quiere que sean pareja, no aquí te pillo aquí te mato (que es, básicamente, en lo que habían quedado aunque no lo dijeran explícitamente) cuando él vuelva. ¡Ah! Pero lo mejor es que él le dice que si se quiere poner en contacto con él y no puede, siempre estará el servicio que se les da a las esposas, así que ¿qué hace él? LE PROPONE MATRIMONIO (aunque me ha parecido muy tierno que se proponga con el anillo de papel de aluminio). Sípppp. Así que ese mismo día se casan. Van a ver a los padres de ella (que son unos hijos de puta, dejando que su hija se pudra en ese infierno porque según su padre "es una verguenza para la familia"), Pat le canta las cuarenta, él se va para una nueva misión y FIN.

Así, sin más.

¡AHHHHH! Pero aún no he acabado. Porque a parte de esto ha habido cosas que me han molestado un montón. De verdad.

Para empezar, cuando Annie ve el circuito que tienen que hacer para pasar una prueba o lo que sea (no estoy metida en esto la verdad) y le dice a Pat que algún día le gustaría intentar hacerlo. ¿Qué piensa él? Cito textualmente: "Era algo completamente fuera de los límites para una chica. (...) Creo que a las mujeres nunca se les debería permitir entrenarse para formar parte de los SEALs. Diablos, ni siquiera era de la idea de que deberían estar en el ejército. (...) Para mí estaría bien si ellas solos quisieran hacer el maldito trabajo de administración o trabajar de enfermeras, pero no, querían disparar armas de fuego y estar al frente de la batalla"




También, bueno, está la cosa esta de que Annie se pone una falda, un top y unas sandalias y Pat no tiene otra cosa que decirle "¿Qué te pusiste?" y lo peor no es eso, es que hace que Annie se sienta mal o que la pobre no tiene ganas de discutir con él, y se cambia. Se pone otra ropa. Ella le dice: "Jesús, Pat! ¿Eres tan controlador?" Su respuesta "no, no voy a decirte qué ponerte. Pero vamos a encontrarnos con tu ex novio. No necesito verlo babeando por ti delante de mí. Puedes usar lo que quieras. Será jodidamente difícil para mí estar alejado de ti cuando me vaya y tú no estás haciendo las cosas más fáciles" Y luego él piensa: "sólo quería proteger a Annie. No quería que nadie fantasee con ella".

Pero esto no acaba aquí. Dios mío. La que lía el señor cuando ella se está mensajeando con Chris (su ex). No quiero poner otra conversación, pero es que ugh. No sé cómo plasmarlo si no los pongo. Básicamente es esto:
"ÉL: ¿Quién te envía mensajes?
ELLA: Es Chris. Pasó por casa de mis padres y les dijeron que había salido.
ÉL: ¿él pasa por tu casa cada vez que le da la gana? Maldita sea, ¿me estás tomando por idiota, Annie? ¿Todavía sigues viéndolo?
ELLA: No, Pat, pero seguimos siendo amigos. Se preocupa por mí.
ÉL: Seguro que sí. ¿Y también te consolará mientras me encuentre lejos? ¿Has dormido con él desde que regresaste a casa?"

Y es en plan corta tío, vete al monte a coger caracoles.



¿Lo mejor de todo? Annie dice que aunque se le diese la oportunidad de volver al pasado y cambiar la decisión de irse al crucero (donde la secuestraron), no lo cambiaría por nada del mundo porque "esa pesadilla me llevó hasta ti"



Lo único que rescato es la relación que tiene Pat con su madre y con sus amigos, Vic y Kyle, y cómo se desarrolla toda la acción para rescatar a Annie.

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ UPDATE! ~
What a difference a re-write made for this one!

The book has a much better flow. Both Annie and Patrick’s POV’s,
some great new sub plots and a mostly slower pace making big
necessary changes. PHEW!
~~~
For me, it could still have been a little more intense
and a little slower at times.

The brothel scene at the beginning is a critical one; I’d have happily read another dozen pages on that alone. Taking that whole scene slowly and giving it a more all consuming intensity was (I felt) essential. This was the blowjob that was going to save her life, it would have been an incredibly desperate scene but I thought that it just missed the mark on that.

Toward the end I think it could have been comfortably
given some more pages too.

Overall though, it’s a winner!
Moving up from 3.5 to 4 stars.

Thanks very much Alana for giving me the opportunity to re-read.



ORIGINAL REVIEW:

3.5 "gutted" Stars

Never, have I been so lit up by a synopsis...

My full review at Cariad's Sizzling Page...And there's good news!

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[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Invincible failed to reach any emotion or interest from me. I don't know why.

[Laylaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid STARS!Revised review- a new Expanded edition was provided to me by the author Alana Albertson. I must say, the revisions, make major changes to the book- for one, we get Annie's POV and it is truly an insight to behold. It makes so much of a change to the book- add in another HUGE item and we have a whole different book. I really enjoyed this book the first time around, except for the rushed ending and that piece was what made me score it lower the first read. Now- come re-read time, and the author has truly taken into account the reviews and saw the need to change the timelines in the book and I have to say- GREAT WORK. The flow is better and its doesn't seemed rushed. The book has more meat to it now, and having's Annie's POV is so much better. You truly see some of the mess in her head and you see her character grow. Add in some bonus material for the second book in the Trident Code series and Alana has an amazing start to a entralling series. I must say, that the book blurb catches you and I found myself hooked fairly quickly as our hero is almost an anti-hero. He is almost of his own tragedy as he contridicts even himself and his own needs for the betterment of others or at least his perception of helping others- almost like a anti-hero. While, that is being said, he is also to the point and doesn't mix words when he doesn't need to. Thanks Alana- for allowing me to read these revisions and truly taking your readers comments into account- that makes you a hero in my eyes!

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
3.5 Stars! Invincible had me at the little summary, the blurb was right up my alley. What an awesome read, I was so into this story and all that it had going for it. There were so many twists and turns and the story, was just so REAL. The author had me thinking about similar real headlines and it made it all the more real. Patrick is a Navy Seal, he lives by the code and dies by the code. He knows what he must do when the girl tells him that she is being held captive. He has to save her, he has to make it right. She is an American citizen and he swore an oath to protect her. He sets out on this mission with the aide of his Seal brothers to get her to freedom, but before she can return home, he has to free her of her addiction.

Annie disappeared 5 years prior and now knows nothing of her life or what it will become, but when she sees a chance for help, she knows she must take it. Thankfully her parents searched for her and they a website with identifing information and Patrick uses that info to go back and verify that Annie is who she claims to be. The mission and all the events leading up to Annie's return to the embassy were so intriguing. Annie's detox was a rough read, but Patrick knew this was necessary. But, when it was time to part ways and take her to the embassy Patrick did what he had to do. It seemed almost that Patrick was trying to protect himself more than Annie. But, when he returns home from leave several months later and finds Annie waiting for him, he can't help but follow her and see what she has done thus far. Things on land with Annie's family don't seem to add up, and during all this Patrick can't deny his continued attraction to Annie, when Patrick finally does start to give in to his feelings they are a total reverse of where he was when he was last with Annie. The last part of the book felt so rushed, and I was so sad as it was going along so well. I even thought it may extend into a second book as it seemed to have so much more left to the story in the remaing 10% but then everything was pushed together and tied in an nice bow. I wanted more, needed more. I know that the next books follow other members of Patrick's team (which I assume will be Kyle and Vic) but I hope we get more of Annie and Patrick because their story was too enthralling to not get more from.....

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 2 out of 5]

J&G: 2.5 Stars

We are U.S. Navy SEALs.
There’s no need to thank us because we don’t exist.
You never saw us.
This never happened.
-ANONYMOUS.'

Gitte: Ahhh Jenny, this breaks my heart writing this review. I was absolutely gagging to read this story after a fantastic sneak peek at chapter one a while back on our blog. It had such potential and looked as if it was going to be just our kind of read; the premise sounded FAB. The hot Navy Seal ‘kick arse’ rescuer and the dark and horrific fate of a girl kidnapped and forced into sex slavery.

“My name is Annie Hamilton. I’m an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You’re my last hope. Please save me.”

It just never really came to anything did it? It never peaked; there was never that dark and gritty tension and it felt so rushed with barely any detail. I just couldn’t connect to the characters though I did feel Patrick had a heart of gold, real strength and courage of convictions. It could have been an amazing read; it really could because the writing was strong and the premise fabulous. However, it was almost monotonous and as we moved through the story Patrick came across almost robotic in actions and thoughts.

‘I would not fail Annie. I don’t fail. I am never out of the fight.’

I don’t know what to say without sounding really harsh so I apologise in advance; but parts of this story felt almost unbelievable in light of the fact we were dealing with a woman kidnapped; kept as a sex slave and drugged up to her eyeballs; the behaviour of Annie was mind boggling and I just didn’t understand her character.

“You aren’t invisible – you’re invincible.”

I did think the writing style was good, it flowed really well and it vividly placed the images of the story in my head at times. However, with great writing you still need a great story as well as the emotional aspects and sadly this wasn’t it for me; I felt detached throughout.

Invincible was an okay-ish read for me as I didn’t at any stage want to leave it unfinished, but that’s all really. You felt the same didn’t you Jenny?

Jenny: Sadly, I share your sentiments Gitte and like you I’m gutted to have to write this review. If you had asked me a week ago to name one of my most anticipated books ,it would have been Invincible, without a second thought. How could I not be excited for this book after THAT synopsis and THAT first chapter preview? Wow! I was chomping at the bit to read this one. In fact, we were so excited about the release of this one, we discussed it with the girls and decided it was going to be our next Bookclub read . We normally don’t get the chance to read along with our gorgeous Bookclub girls so we were excited and put this one up sight unseen, which is something we never do. Honestly, we couldn’t see how it wouldn’t be a hit. It certainly had all the makings for a kick arse Navy Seal book and we were all salivating whilst impatiently waiting for release date.

‘I had one chance to put the cape on and be her hero.’

The premise of this story was fantastic and my thoughts were “this can’t fail”, so it pains me to say, that it did. I didn’t experience any kind of connection to any of the characters and actually found the sex scenes to be a bit uncomfortable at times and some felt decidedly awkward and out of place. There was one scene in particular that made me shudder at Patricks physical feelings and internal monologue when Annie was suffering. As I said…awkward.

As you said G, I did love the hero side of the story and I do love a good Navy Seal story, throw in a rescue and love story and I’m there. This did have the odd moment that I enjoyed, but the actions of Patrick and Annie had me shaking my head at times and the story felt rushed and unfinished. I agree this author has a great writing style and only wish she had executed Invincible better because it had the scope to be an amazing read.

“I’ve dreamt of you. I just knew you were sent for me. You are my only hope.”

Like you G, I did HAVE to finish it, I couldn’t not, and that is something I guess because I felt I needed to see it through to the end. Unfortunately I didn’t experience the drama, suspense and passion the way I had hoped I would.

G&J: So it is with a heavy heart we say this was a bit of a fizzer for us. The author had brilliant ideas and on some levels the story did play out satisfactorily but it didn’t wow us. We felt aspects of the story weren’t explored enough and there quite a few inconsistencies. In fairness, we have to say that some of the readers in our Bookclub loved this book and can’t wait for more which goes to prove that reading is subjective and everyone will experience different feelings after reading Invincible. It’s with a heavy heart that we didn’t experience this story the way they did and that this is a case where, for us, the story didn’t live up to the synopsis.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/17/2020)! 🎁

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, even though it is quite a short book and it really wasn't as heavy going or deep as I thought it would be - I liked it all the same.

Pat, Vic and Kyle are Navy SEAL's and whilst docked in Curaçao, Pat comes across a victim of human trafficking whilst visiting a whorehouse. Apparently it's his job to save Americans so he makes it his mission to save this one (he doesn't care about the rest of the poor souls, they are from elsewhere) and formulates a plan with his comrades to go rogue and come back and rescue her.

He does of course, and him and Annie embark on a friendship which turns into more.

Short and sweet, if you fancy something light but with a serious topic then I'd recommend.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book... but it was nowhere near as gritty and heart-wrenching as I'd expected it to be. Definitely didn't meet my expectations. *sad face*

3 STARS FOR ANNIE & PATRICK!

Young, beautiful, rich, American girl, Annie, was kidnapped from her Carribean cruise five years ago and forced into an underworld of sex slavery and drug addiction.
Patrick Walsh is a Navy SEAL. On a night off he visits a brothel and when he chooses Annie from a line up of hookers, she recognises it as her final chance to be rescued, so she risks everything and tells him her name, in the hope that he will save her.

"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."

Never a man to walk away from somebody in need, or from a challenge, Patrick can't help but return to Annie, despite the trouble it could cause for him, in an attempt to return her safely to her parents in America, who had all but given up hope of ever seeing her again.

They had once been little girls playing make believe, dreaming of princes and castles. But I was no prince. I'd done enough life saving in my time and I'd learned the hard way that I couldn't save them all.

Now, I was so excited to read this book. It isn't often that a book can totally grip me from a blurb alone. Usually it's the hype surrounding the book, the recommendations through word of mouth, reviews from trusted sources, etc. But with this book, I read the book and I had to read it as soon as I could get hold of it. And I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed.



This could have been sooooo good. This could have completely blown my mind, broken my heart, made my pulse race, made me cry, filled me with adrenaline and made a huge mark on this indie romance community. But it didn't. It was short, quick, a bit rushed and just not nearly as hard-hitting as I wanted it to be. Everything was wrapped up pretty swiftly, there were no big climaxes, no complications to navigate... Find girl, save girl, bring girl home, get together with girl, the end. It just kind of fell a little flat, really.

Invincible is told from Patrick's POV. Now, one thing that I felt this book could have really benefited from was some scenes from Annie's POV. How great would that have been? To get inside her head, see what she'd been through. I wanted to be shocked and horrified. I wanted to be as desperate for her liberation as she was. But as we didn't really get to know Annie until she free, I really wasn't too fussed either way. She was just a statistic to me, albeit one that gives really good head and has an alien tattoo on her ankle. Not really ground for heartfelt emotional investment in a character.

"For five years, I've head on to this fantasy that I'd be rescued. I prayed for you, I've dreamt of you. I just knew you were sent for me. You are my only hope."

And then, once she was free, (which actually seemed like a pretty painless rescue mission to me... although I'm no expert on rescue missions, so y'know, I could be wrong) I really felt she got over the whole ordeal rather too quickly. Here is a girl who has been sold as a sex slave, passed from place to place, raped and violated repeatedly, been forced to engage in all kinds of unmentionable, unimaginable things at the hands of the absolute scum of society. She's been forcedly addicted to heroine, using the drugs to numb her pain and as the only form of release, she's lost the only friend she had whilst in captivity, lived in complete squalor, stripped of her identity... I mean, she's been in a the epitome of living hell for five years. I'd imagine it is virtually impossible to fully recover from this kind of experience. And Annie kind of just slips back into society quite neatly, with the exception of some cold-turkey induced tantrums whilst she detoxes. I just felt like it would have been really fascinating if the author had explored the huge obstacles Annie had to face when returning back to America after such a traumatic ordeal. But she didn't.

"You aren't invisible - you're invincible."

Again, this was just one way that this book felt far too rushed. And then there was the ending which really took the biscuit... *looks shocked* I just felt like the author got a bit bored with writing and just went 'Ah, that'll do.' For me, it wasn't a satisfactory ending at all. Things with Annie and Pat moved waaaay too quickly, completely unrealistically, again there was no real climax and then... bish, bosh bash, The End. Ta daaaa. *jazz hands*
Erm, no. I wanted to get to know and love these characters. I'm reading this book because I want to know their story. I don't want a bullet point rendition of what happened to them. I want to know it all!



Patrick was okay. He was a bit up his own arse, though. He was very full of the whole 'I'm a Navy SEAL and we are the shit!' thing. He had commitment issues, trust issues, etc. at first, but then just completely forgot they even existed once the author decided she'd had enough of those. But overall, he was a good enough guy and he was pretty adept at saving his damsel in distress, although the guys guarding her didn't exactly seem up to the job. But then, didn't you know, SEALs are awesome badasses who can conquer anything and anyone... so maybe that's why. Who knows?!

'In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation's call.
A common man with uncommon desire to succeed.
Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life.
I am that man.'

So, what there was of this book was okay. Could have been better, but it was alright. But there wasn't near enough character development, detail, action... anything really. The premise is fantastic, I so wanted to love this book. I thought it was going to rock my socks off! But the execution left so much to be desired in my opinion. I feel like I want to go to the author and go, great, now fill in the gaps and tell me the rest! What a shame.



Have you read it? Tell us what you thought?

'Invincible'/i> Statistics
• Steam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥
• Ending: Happy ending, but very abrupt.
• Length: 157 pages
• POV: Patrick's POV.
• Narrative: First person. Past tense.
• Series: ✗
• Can this be read as a standalone? Yes
• Themes:
Navy SEAL
Kidnap
Prostitution
• Writing: Fair








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[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before sharing my thoughts on Invincible....
I am a reader, not a writer, and by no means a professional book reviewer. I know how tough it can be to not only write (I have trouble expressing my thoughts in a compelling and in-depth manner – my reviews are proof), but to write something readers will love. So, I give credit to, and am appreciative of, all the brave authors who put their work out there for us readers to devour.

Now as an avid reader with an ever growing list of books to read, and limited time to read them, I try hard to choose books worth my time (and money.) I want a book that will draw me inside the pages (or e-reader) to get lost in the story, connect with characters and experience what I’m reading. I don’t want to just read what the character thinks or feels; I want to feel and experience with the characters!

I want to feel the angst running through my veins. I want to smile because I feel their joy. I want to be aroused because I feel their lust. I want to have my hair stand on end because I feel their fear. I want to cry because I feel their heartbreak. I want my heart to race because I feel their excitement. I want to sob because I feel their despair.

That said, moving on to Invincible....
Something happened somewhere between the synopsis and the book, because the goose bumps I got reading the synopsis never came back while I read the book!!

What a TERRIFIC synopsis!!! True, the whole captive/sex slave plot-line is a bit overdone now, but this one sounded different from other books, believable and had great potential. So, I bought Invincible with expectations of reading something raw, deep, gritty and highly emotional. I expected to feel and experience all the emotions I mentioned above.

However, I felt the story was too rushed, lacked depth and detail, and just fell flat. I wasn’t able to connect with Patrick and Annie, individually or as a couple. For me the relationship was forced, developed too fast, and lacked passion to make it believable. I also thought the story had too many holes, wrong information and things happening that just did not make sense (ex: giving wine to a detoxing heroin addict – WTF??)

Anyway, not to attack the author and her work, because honestly what she has done is 10x better than anything I could put together, I just wanted to share my thoughts on Invincible as an avid reader who happens to be fan of stories with similar plot-lines. I hate saying this, but I was disappointed...I wanted and wished for so much more.

I believe this could be epic! And it still has the potential, if done right.

[djdavis~*Sivad*Sex Pocket · Rating 4 out of 5]

RESPONSES BEFORE READING THE BOOK!


I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS DESPITE THE MIXED REVIEWS!!




*************************



***Note***
"An estimated two million children are lured, sold, or kidnapped for the purpose of sexual exploitation in hotels, night clubs, brothels, massage parlors...Sex trafficking has devastating consequences...including long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, disease, drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, and more." If you would like to learn more about what you can do to help in the war against Human trafficking visit Human Trafficking Search.




Read more of this review and others @ The Book Wranglers
Heat: Hot moments
Rating: **** 4 out of 5 Stars
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Where to begin...the first few lines of this story caught my attention and I couldn't put the book down afterwards.

'I'll be honest with you–I'm no hero. Sure, the media tries to brand every Navy SEAL as some kind of Batman dressed in cammies. There's even a line in one of our cadences: "Superman is the man of steel, he ain't no match for Navy SEAL,"'


Patrick Walsh lives to serve his country. He doesn't complain about the hours, being under paid–he doesn't even take credit for the lives he's saved. He thrives on going into dangerous situations and eliminating the threat. Unfortunately, losing a few buddies, and seeing the faces of so many children who'd been lost in the scuffle of battle was causing an emotional battle within him.

One night while he and his buddies are on shore at Curaçao he decides to let off a little steam with an easy 'paid for' lay. [Steering clear of any emotional attachment because of his past and current career goals, Patrick ignores his gut and turns to an easy trick.] What he doesn't count on is picking up America's soccer sweetheart that's been missing for the past five years.

Annie Hamilton grew up privileged. She went to the best schools, had the best boy friend, and was banking on having the time of her life until she was snatched from a cruise ship and thrown into the sex trade. After five years of despair she finally comes face-to-face with an American who she believes can help her and puts everything she is into this last attempt at freedom.

"My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."


With the dangerous S and R done, Patrick and Annie had to return the 'real' life, a 'normal' world where he wasn't suppose to want her, and she wasn't suppose to look at him as anything other than her rescuer. But these two couldn't have stopped what was happening between them even if their lives were on the line. (pun) So begins life after being a sex slave.

The Best Thing:
Well I have to first say WELL DONE! This was a serious story and I thought it was well written. I immediately latched onto the characters, the places they traveled, the mission, and the love the blossomed, and couldn't let go!


I refuse to write really detailed information about what happened in the book because it'll ruin it for other readers, but I will say you won't be disappointed.

Patrick and his buddies lead an honorable, but scary life by risking theirs to protect the country. But when he found Annie it was like a lightbulb went off in his head and he couldn't turn away from her, even after he'd rescued her. It was interesting to see how he fell for her despite the circumstances in which they met and everything she'd been through. He's a GREAT man!

Annie is a very strong character, (go Alana Albertson) I love to read about strong woman. She's a fighter through and through and never gave up...she maintained hope that she'd be free some day, she even tried to motivate Nicole–her friend, she never gave up hope on she and Patrick, she quit drugs, and more. She's a BAD*SS!


so I have to appreciate the author taking us through some pretty horrible situations with Annie and then delivering a better ending.

The Worst Thing:
Where to start?
Well, let's start with how her father is a cold-hearted bas**rd. There were parts in the book that made me sad, and even angry, but when I realized the hand that her father had in making sure she stayed in the brothel ... well let's just say I agreed with Patrick.


While the overall story was good I can't say that there were some things that just didn't add up for me. One, it seemed odd to me that they were able to travel by sea back into the US and still not have to go through customs...hmmm(yes, I know this is fiction.) Two, since the book wasn't that long and we already explained everything else why not just put more information in the story about Patrick adopting Gabriel? And three, and most important, please please tell me why we didn't get to read more about Annie's rehabilitation?

I would think that she would absolutely have an issue with sex and being intimate with Patrick after everything, but no and I quote...
"I wanted to be loved. I wanted to reclaim my sexuality. Enjoy sex, feel what it's like to experience pleasure from a man who loved me and wasn't using me. Didn't I deserve to be happy?"
yes she did deserve to be happy, but come on...no hesitation? No flashbacks at all with his touches and more? (just not realistic enough for me) She also seemed to have left her nightmares behind her along with her cravings for drugs. (One to two months of a Hollywood uppity clinic does not cure an addict.)


Lastly, I can't freaking believe how it ended.

After such and intense story and all the buildup the last few paragraphs just fizzled...literally.
There better be a part two...Nicole's story.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This review is of the first/original version of the book*

I have to say that this book was everything I expected (and wanted). When I first heard about it late last year, I was dying to read it. I love Navy SEAL romances and I was going through a Navy SEAL mood. So this book hit me, grabbed ahold of me and wouldn’t let go. The wait for it was awful. And with my awesomely bad luck, when it finally came out, I wasn’t able to read it right away due to other review commitments. And that just sucked. So Invincible sat on my kindle mocking me for the last couple of weeks. But finally (FINALLY!), I was able to sit down and read it.

And once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I have to say that this book is from Patrick’s POV. And that was interesting. It’s not often that you find a book strictly from the hero’s POV. It’s a nice change of pace. But because it was strictly from his POV, you didn’t see the heroine’s struggles. Well, you saw them filtered through Patrick. So after she was home, you didn’t see how she coped with everything she had endured and how she was adjusting. I didn’t really have a problem with that, but I also wish that there had been some kind of conversation between Patrick and Annie about how she was coping once she was home.
The only complaint I have, and it didn’t bother me to much while reading, was Annie’s father. It was only after I had finished the book and began to work on this review that things popped into my head and made me wish there had been more info. While I don’t think that Patrick would have told Annie how big of a jerk her father was, I just can’t believe that she wouldn’t have found out. And I want to know how she reacted and what she did after she found out. Also, I was a little surprised by the end. I’m reading along and all of a sudden the tone changes and I turn the page and see “The End”. I was shocked. I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see if I missed something. So I guess that’s my other small complaint…the length. I think there could have been more to their story. More to discover. More to go through.

But other than that, I loved this book. I devoured it in no time flat. It just felt really authentic to what Navy SEALs would be like (at least from what I’ve read from SEAL biographies). You could tell that the author had done her research, or even had first-hand experience in dealing with SEALs. This book was just unputdownable (to quote a good friend of mine). I also loved Patrick’s friends. Vic and Kyle were awesome. I really hope both of them get books. I haven’t read any of Alana Albertson’s books in the past, but I can’t wait to read more of her stuff in the future.

Update since initially reading this. It’s my understanding that the author is doing massive rewrites of this book. While I did think that there was more to the story, I don’t think this really needs rewrites overall. So it will be interesting to see what the author changes.

Merged review:

2.5

*This is a review of the second edition/rewritten version of this book*

I'm in a unique position with this book. I read this book back in January, when it was first published. I enjoyed it. There were also a few minor issues I had, but it was still a 5 star read despite the issues. Then I found out that the author was pulling the book from publication and rewriting it. I'll admit, I was intrigued. What would she change? Would she add stuff? It kept bugging me. I kept thinking about it. So when I had the opportunity to review the new version, I jumped at it.

I'm the first to admit that I don't remember all the details of the original. It's been 6 months and 60+ books since I read it. But I do remember some things. The biggest change was the dual POV aspect of this new version. And I can honestly say that this was a double edged sword. On one hand, I liked having her POV. But there came a time that I didn't like it. It didn't flow. Even with her POV, I didn't see anything more to get story. There were still parts of the story that weren't shown after she came home, and before Pat came back. I would have thought that would have been a prime time to capitalize on the new POV and show what it was like with her parents. But that didn't happen.

There was also the addition of a character. I won't spoil how the character comes into play, but I will say it came out of the blue. The book was chugging along just fine with the addition of Annie's POV and then BAM!!! I'm hit with this new character and I'm left dazed and trying to figure out if I skipped something. And then (in relation to this character) Annie's reaction to an event that happens shorting after the introduction of this character didn't make sense. She'd spoken about how awful one of her captors (Renzo) was, then she tried to save his life. I get Stockholm syndrome and all that, but in the previous scene she had been speaking about how awful this guy was and now she's trying to protect Renzo and saying he was good to her "sometimes". I really didn't like that.

Basically, it boils down to the fact that the changes that were supposed to improve the book really didn't work for me. I loved the first version and was extremely disappointed in the changes.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that even though there are some definite issues with the story, it still pulls you in and keeps you reading. So while Pat may not be your typical SEAL hero, he did eventually do the right thing and rescue the girl. But then maybe it's better that he isn't portrayed as perfect? All in all this was a series that I think I would like to read more of, even if I really wanted to smack Annie's parents for their actions. I definitely am curious with the little tidbit at the end about the other victim of the story, Nicole, and hope that she will be getting her own story.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads Review Team*

This was a quick read, that I have some mixed feelings on, let's start with the positives:
I enjoyed this story, the writing was solid as was the story-line. I liked the dual POV (Patrick & Annie).
I couldn't help but fall in love with Patrick, he was not only an "alpha", but sweet, caring, and respectful. Annie, although needed to be rescued, was far from being weak.
The basis of this story is very dark and disturbing: Human trafficking/slavery is absolutely horrifying, don't get me wrong, but it dealt with "lightly" and in a non-gritty fashion. The topic was touched on later in the story, but only in reference -no details were really given.
The romantic aspect was sweet and uplifting, he really was a Hero in more ways then one ;)
Now, for the negatives:
The CONSTANT "creeds" of the NavySEALS started to rub me the wrong way. I completely understand why they were liberally applied throughout the story...I just got tired of reading them. (They would make great chapter headers!)
Also, I felt like Annie recovered from the entire ideal VERY quickly. Not to say it's impossible, just felt like it was unrealistic, I wanted to get inside her head just a bit more then the story length would allow.
Last but not least: This story seems to be VERY similiar to the real-life disappearance of Amy Bradley. The similarities are uncanny and because of this - I feel like some kind of mention should have been made. This fact alone had me remove 1 star.

Overall, I really liked this story and the characters...I WILL read the next book in this series ;)

[Eye Candy Bookstore · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis for this book my first thoughts were “Oh wow”. This book was going to be raw, intriguing, and quite possibly very emotional. And it did not disappoint. From the first pages you are drawn into a world of NAVY SEALS. When you think about a SEAL you think hero, be honest. But the hero in this story doesn’t start out as one. Patrick is out looking for a little pleasure and he’s willing to go to a brothel to get it. When he gets there he gets the surprise of a lifetime after he chooses “Star” out of a lineup.

“My name is Annie Hamilton. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me.”

Sex trafficking wasn’t unheard of and now he just landed smack dab in the middle of it. But can he believe a whore, a heroin junkie? Can he risk his career? Patrick can’t forget her eyes and the way she pleaded with him to save her. So he does what any SEAL does....he and his two friends try to save the day. But it’s just the beginning. There is much more to the story than they know.

I have read a lot of reviews about this book. And there are some people that really don’t like it...and I just don’t get it. I can’t understand why they didn’t enjoy it. This book was wonderful!! I was sucked in from the beginning. As I read I needed to know what happened. I was curious as to how Annie ended up where she was. Why she hadn’t been found sooner. I loved the relationship between Patrick and his friends Kyle & Vic (and can’t wait to read their stories in the next books). I thought the author was brilliant in the way she described the situations the characters were faced with. There isn’t much I would change about the book, other than make it longer!

Reviewed by Lesley

[CarolBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Really quick review.. It was an enjoyable read. Not what I expected. But I am an action buff, so I couldn't help but expect more bad ass missions and gun fights. I didn't really know what to make of Patrick.. He was so wishy-washy about everything. He would say one thing and literally do the opposite on the next page. Even though I adore him for rescuing Annie, he continuously contradicted himself. But I can appreciate that his inner monologue was more realistic than other alpha male stories. Plus when he finally committed to something, he was die hard for it. I loved Annie! She was immensely strong and brave. She never gave up hope. And she was the one that approached Patrick without seeming clingy or annoying. The dad is a douche canoe. Its not hard to figure that out. Loved the insight on SEAL life and the quotes inserted here and there. Great side characters. Can't wait for their stories as well.

[Ailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from Alana Alberston, and it was AMAZING! I'l be honest and say that I always say that every book is not what I was expecting but in this case I'm serious! To see Annie and Patrick relationship develop throughout the story was wonderful. Everything was overall perfect, however the story did seem a little rushed and I would have wanted a continuation of the ending.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really have much to say about this book. It was just ok, pretty unrealistic and the hero was an ass, but whatever. I wasn't that invested in it anyway.