Code Name Pisces: Special Edition

Zodiac Tactical #4

by Janie Crouch

(3rd Person POV edition)
Tristan Zimmerman. Zodiac Tactical code Pisces.
Independent, wise, and intuitive-still waters run deep.
He's the leader of Zodiac Tactical's guardian unit. They're the bodyguards-the ones who stand toe to toe with danger and refuse to give any ground. They protect people who need it most.
But what if who needs it most is a spoiled diva?
Tristan doesn't normally take on movie stars. He doesn't have time for the drama nor their self-centered lifestyle. If they don't take their own safety seriously, how can he?
But there's something different about Alyse Peterson. On the outside America's Glamor Princess is everything he wants to avoid. But behind her perfect smile and sapphire eyes is a heartbreak she's hiding from everyone.
She has secrets. And a stalker willing to kill to get to them.
His code name is Pisces. And anybody who wants to get to her, will have to go through him.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance

318 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2022

About the author

USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.

After a lifetime on the East Coast—and a six-year stint in Germany due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military—Janie has settled into her dream home in Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. She loves engaging in all sorts of adventures (triathlons! 200-mile relay races! mountain treks!), traveling, and surviving life with four kids.

Heroes exist. Let a Janie Crouch book prove it to you.

Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name Pisces is the fourth book in the Zodiac Tactical series and can be read as a standalone. I recommend you read the previous book, Code Name Libra, before reading this book if you can’t read all three previous books in the series.

This book! I mean wow! It had me on edge the whole time and hit home to me as well. This book had suspense, action, mystery, twists, crossover characters, sugar, spice, and some stream and add in a crazy psycho stalker. All the elements that makes a great book and an immediate spot on my shelf and Kindle. Every book in the series keeps getting better and better and I am here for it all!

Alyse Peterson is a well-known actress and model known to world as “America’s Glamour Princess” and has been in the spotlight all her life due to her well known and regarded parents. As we all know, being famous has its advantages and disadvantages and unfortunately for Alyse, being famous in the limelight and doing whatever is necessarily to be the best or perfect has left her wanting to live isolated and living her life filled with difficulties and obstacles no one would want for anyone. Everyone thinks the saying beauty is pain only relates to the physical aspect of it and in Alyse’s case it also refers to the mental as well. And when a stalker decides to kick things up a notch, she is forced to rely on the help of the team that her father trusted and depended on those years ago.

Tristan Zimmerman is the leader of the Zodiac Tactical Guardian Unit and is known as his code name,Pisces. As a former Navy SEAL, he was trained to protect, pay attention to details, as well as many other skills other that make him a great leader and member of Zodiac Tactical. Whether it was the teachings of his mother or the NAVY, he is a protector and his need to take care of people shone through in this book. Unfortunately, his departure of the Navy left him with guilt and a heavy responsibility to stop the things that he is able to plague him everyday since the day Cliff Johnson died and he has sworn to never let that happen again especially with Alyse.

Alyse and Tristan met each other previously years ago, when Alyse’s dad hired Tristan to help him with a situation on one of his sets. Alyse remembers their meeting when he sit down to discuss the details of what happened with her stalker and the perimeters of her case/contract with Zodiac Tactical. After the headache a former case brought on involving a movie star and one of his team members, Tristan is hesitant to take on Alyse’s case and believes that she will be just as difficult as the last case and Alyse is less than thrilled to have Tristan and his team take over her last haven. The two do not start off on the right foot and with the best impressions of each other. These two have masks and layers to them and once they are able to peel back a couple layers and clothes (wink wink), they were able to relax and let go a little. It took time to break down those walls and let themselves be vulnerable to one another. And when they did, these two were unstoppable and couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. They were sweet and cute in their honeymoon phase and just makes you wish you had your own insanely hot bodyguard to take care of you and warm your bed every night. Their romance was fast paced and intense considering what they were dealing with. They were the pieces to make one another whole and the person they both needed to help them both heal.

I was a little disappointed the book didn’t introduce Tristan’s team much other Mark Outlaw, who he had on loan, and Isaac Baxter, who was originally introduced in Code Name Aries. He also had the help of well known and crossover character, Omega Sector special task force agent, Callum Webb, as his backup help. I did love how there was a little Linear Tactical character crossover with Jenna Franklin, Blaze, and Neo in the book and the cameos of Zodiac Tactical and Linear Tactical character crossovers in the bonus scene. I was a little bummed Andrew, Tristan’s twin, wasn’t in the book and only mentioned a couple times. I am intrigued to read his story as we have read almost all of the Zimmerman siblings’ stories. I do know if Andrew Zimmerman makes his debut in a book, Janie will make it well worth it.

I have no clue who the next book will be about or if there will be another book in they series, but I’m crossing my fingers and toes that there will be another book.

I am a die hard fan of the authors and I highly recommend this book and the whole series and backlist of hers. Her books are the perfect mix of action, mystery, twists, and steam. This book is a must read if you like stalker books, bodyguard protector romances, military suspense romances or even contemporary suspense romances. Trust me and one click, you won’t regret it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Janie Crouch has written a book that grabbed me from the first page and kept me enthralled to the very end. The story opens as Alyse prepares for a modeling job. We immediately see that she is uncomfortable with the number of people around her and must work at being the person everyone expects to see. Matters go from bad to worse when she receives a "gift" from a stalker. Her fear was palpable, and I loved that her manager, Jared, knew exactly who to call - Zodiac Tactical.

Tristan oversees the protection division of ZT. It is the perfect place for him as he is a protector by nature. He has a few control issues, thanks to an event in his past. He's not happy when the request comes in to provide security for Alyse. He has a very poor opinion of movie stars, thanks to previous experience, but Alyse is a special case. Tristan did a job for her father years earlier and owed the man for his influence that helped establish the business. He still hopes to steer her toward another firm for her security needs.

The first meeting between Tristan and Alyse doesn't go well. Tristan goes in with preconceived ideas about Alyse and her life, and Alyse is clearly on edge. Tristan does not expect the immediate swell of protectiveness he feels toward her, despite his beliefs about her. His action with the food is sweet but freaks him out by being very out of character for him. He then overcompensates by being harsh and judgmental. I ached for Alyse, who was barely holding it together. His demand to have someone staying in her house was the last straw. Her home is her sanctuary and the only place she could be herself and maintain her sanity. Tristan's parting words were obnoxiously rude and uncalled for, but Alyse got the last word. I loved his friends'/coworkers' reactions.

I loved seeing the relationship between Tristan and Alyse develop. It doesn't take too long for Tristan to realize that Alyse's perfect image is carefully cultivated and used as armor against the outside world. As he catches an occasional glimpse of the real Alyse, he becomes determined to break through that perfect veneer. Meanwhile, Alyse's compulsion to maintain that image around Tristan gets harder to sustain. The author did a stellar job of showing how the events of her past drove Alyse's fears and insecurities. I loved Tristan's patience and gentleness as he tried to break through that wall. I cheered when it finally came down and loved Tristan's immediately stunned and positive reaction. With the dropping of that barrier, the attraction that both had been fighting was unleashed.

There are many sweet and moving scenes of the two getting to know each other and growing closer. I loved seeing Alyse blossom under Tristan's attention, though she still hid her authentic self from the public. As the stalker's actions escalate, Tristan becomes more determined to stop him. Unfortunately, this leads him to make a boneheaded decision that makes sense security-wise but leaves Alyse feeling betrayed. I ached for them both - Alyse, whose entire life was upended by what happened, and Tristan, who realized what a terrible mistake he'd made. It also opened the window for the stalker. Tristan's fear for Alyse leaped off the page, as did his love and desperation to save her. There was no doubt about their love for each other when it was all over.

The bonus epilogue, which takes place in Oak Creek, Wyoming, showcases the close ties between the Linear Tactical and Zodiac Tactical characters. I laughed out loud at the conversation as Gavin, Baby, and Ian gave Tristan a hard time about his feelings. Tristan's scene with Alyse and the end was sweet, romantic, and - dare I say? - perfect.

The suspense of the story was gripping. From the first moment of the stalker's appearance to the final confrontation, there wasn't a minute that I wasn't glued to the pages. The audacity and creepiness of his actions oozed off the pages. I could feel the frustration of Tristan and the rest of the team as the stalker was scary smart and seemed to be one step ahead of them at all times. I liked the inclusion of Callum Webb, the Omega Sector operative who is so good at getting inside the bad guys' heads, and the insight that helped them identify the stalker. Unlike some stories where it's easy to figure out, this one kept me guessing to the very end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with the stalker seeming to have every advantage. The resolution was fantastic.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars-- CODE NAME:PISCES is the fourth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult ZODIAC TACTICAL romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s LINEAR TACTICAL series. This is team leader and former US Navy SEAL Tristan ‘Pisces’ Zimmerman, and Hollywood actress Alyse Peterson. CODE NAME: PISCES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information form the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Alyse and Tristan) CODE NAME: PISCES follows in the wake of an apparent stalker threatening our story line heroine. Alyse Peterson lost her parents the year before, and in the ensuing months Alyse would be besieged with a series of threatening emails and texts. Worried for his client’s safety, Alyse’s longtime manager Jared Darenzo would call in the team at Zodiac Tactical, a team who once worked for our heroine’s father. Enter team leader Tristan Zimmerman, and the man with whom Alyse would fall in love. What ensues is the protection of our story line heroine, as the team at Zodiac Tactical struggle to uncover the identity of the person threatening the Hollywood star.

Alyse Peterson’s reputation as ‘America’s Glamor Princess’ precedes her introduction to Tristan Zimmerman but like everything else in Hollywood, Alyse’s public persona is a well-rehearsed act, an act she struggles to undo at home. Battling between head and heart when Tristan suggests the team remain at her residence, Alyse is about to realize the reality of her situation when Tristan is targeted, as well.

The relationship between Tristan and Alyse begins acrimoniously. Alyse doesn’t believe she needs in-house security but more so because she prefers to hide the painful truth about the real woman behind the Hollywood star. Tristan knows immediately that the beautiful woman is hiding a secret, secrets of which he knows only too well. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Alyse’s manager Jared Darenzo, as well as the return of Omega Sector special task force specialist Callum Webb, Mark ‘Outlaw’ Outlawson, ZT Guardian Unit member Isaac Baxter, tech expert Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Grubber, as well as the cameo appearances of Tristan’s brother Gavin, Zodiac Tactical founder Ian DeRose, Baby Bollinger, and Kendrick ‘Blaze’ Foster.

CODE NAME: PISCES is a story of obsession, vengeance, power and control; attraction, fear, desperation and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing, exciting and dramatic; the characters are determined, desperate and dynamic; the romance is seductive and intense.

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Pisces is the fourth book in the Zodiac Tactical series and just like all previous books in the series is an amazing read. This is Alyse and Tristan's book. Alyse Peterson, also known as America's Glamour Princess, a well known actress and model has found herself the target of a stalker. Alyse's manager, Jared decides it would be best to hire a security team. He makes the decision to go with Zodiac Tactical because Alyse's father had used them in the past. Tristan Zimmerman, also known as Pisces, is the leader of the Guardian Unit of Zodiac Tactical, this division focuses on body guarding and protection service. Due to a previous job involving an actress Tristan is reluctant to take on Alyse's case. The first meeting between Alyse and Tristan does not go well, but in the end Alyse decides she has no other option then to hire Tristan and his team.

Alyse was a very fascinating character. Her father was a celebrated Hollywood film director, his career resulted in Alyse growing up in the spotlight. Alyse actually doesn't mind the Hollywood life, she was happy to follow in her family's footsteps. But over the years Alyse got this belief in her head that she must always look polished and perfect in front of others, because this is what everyone has come to expect from America's Glamour Princess. But no one realizes that the Alyse Peterson they see is just a role, it's not the real Alyse Peterson at all. The real Alyse Peterson prefers staying home in her pajamas, and falling asleep on the couch. Her life is an exquisitely crafted lie, put together by her PR team. Alyse shows the world exactly what she thinks they want to see, she strongly believes no one would be interesting in reading about the real Alyse. The belief that she must always be perfect causes her extreme anxiety, but she always manages to push the anxiety aside and fulfill the role she has perfected over the years. Now this is where I really started to fall in love with Tristan. I will admit that at first I didn't like the way he seemed so judgmental towards Alyse because of a past experience, that was not fair to Alyse. But then I saw the small things he would do for Alyse, like making sure she ate and calling her every night to help her relax so she could sleep. It was these things that made me wish I had a Tristan in my life. It doesn't take Tristan long to see the real Alyse and he makes no secret he prefers the real deal over the polish perfect Alyse any day. I loved watching the relationship between these two grow.

The suspense was also amazing, kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. I kept trying to guess the identity of the stalker, but every time I thought I might have the right answer it turns out I was wrong. Janie did a great job of keeping his identity a secret. I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely be reading it again.

[Brandalyn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood is a toxic place to exist and it takes a very strong soul that can survive being in the spotlight however; even the strongest can be tested by the evil in the world, Alyse Peterson knows this all too well. Tristian Zimmerman who is Gavin Zimmerman’s younger brother runs the Guardian Sector of Zodiac Tactical. This division mostly handles protection and their office is based in Los Angeles and have dealt with actors in the past. When Alyse Peterson can no longer turn her back on a stalker her manager recommends Zodiac Tactical because before her parents passed in a car accident they had used their services. Alyse’s father thought very highly of these men so she had no problem giving them a chance as long as her secrets can continue to be hers and hers alone. Tristian isn’t sold on taking on another actress after the last one was such a train wreck, but the moment he sees Alyse he can’t help but feel insanely protective of this woman. Alyse wants to just keep up the nickname that she’s been given as America’s Glamour Princess even though that’s not who anyone can be all the time is it? Tristan can see there is much more to this woman although their first interaction doesn’t go well, he causes her to call him some very colorful names that has his entire team laughing. Tristian and Alyse soon find out how truly this stalker wants to get to her and slowly Alyse is being tested by the need to keep up her name of America’s Glamour Princess. Tristian wants to see the real Alyse, and by accident he finally gets to see her and can’t believe how truly beautiful she is. They can no longer ignore the chemistry and pull these two have for one another. There are several reasons and traumatic experiences that causes her to constantly feel the need to be America’s Glamour Princess but will she be able to trust Tristian with her past. Her stalker will stop at nothing to have her and the moment he feels Tristian is standing in his way that’s when he truly starts to show how evil and dangerous he is. Will Zodiac Tactical be able to save their own team member and the their client who has become the most important person in Tristian Zimmerman’s life. This story had my emotions all over the place and screaming for the good guys to win out above all else. Janie Crouch has got me completely hooked on her universe of characters and will always want to read about her strong hero’s and even stronger heroine’s

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Zimmermann men were great but hot damn Tristan blew me away. This is by FAR my favorite in the series and that should tell you something considering we started it with Ian DeRose.

When he meets Alyse he was a bit of an Ahole but she sparked something in him and drew him in life nothing else so far in his life. His protective instincts were screaming at him that she needs him, so he doubled down until she was out of harm's way.

Alyse is America's sweetheart. But nobody knew just how much toll and stress being in the spotlight is causing her. She is barely keeping it together and if it wasn't for Tristan she is sure she would break. But the more time they spend together, the more the lines get blurred and soon the only time that they're feeling comfortable is in each other's arms. But danger is lurking and will stop at nothing to get his hands on her.
Tristan is willing to put his life in danger to save her. But rest assured that ZT guys will make sure that they come out alive on the other side.

I could go on and on about what I loved about this story but trust me when I say - YOU NEED TO READ IT!

[Frances Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
POV: Dual 1st Person
M/F
Stand Alone? This story could be read as a stand alone but due to character crossover it is best to read all of Linear Tactical as well as the first books in this series first due to possible spoilers.

This was another great addition to the Zodiac Tactical series. Tristan and Alyse make an amazing pair! The chemistry and tension between them is amazing. Also, I didn’t figure out who the bad guy was until they did, and that is rare for me.

Code Name: Pisces was a fast paced, action packed, smooth read that had me hooked from the first chapter and didn’t let me go until the last word was read. I’d recommend this book to absolutely anyone who loves a good protector romance with a bit of steam and a thrilling mystery. Don’t think, just buy it. You won’t regret it.

Happy reading my friends!

[Read All About It · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different side of Zodiac Tactical than we’ve seen before and I love it.

Tristan Zimmerman is the head of the Guardian division. When Alyse comes to them for protection he sees her real self not the party girl she portrays.

Glamour Princess is not who we thought she was! We have an exclusive interview with someone who knows details of her stalker.

Alyse has a stalker that is getting closer. He knows things about her no one knows. She believes she always has to be perfect.

Every time I read a new book in this series l fall in love and think it’s the best of the best. I just can’t get enough.

[Country Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s absolutely brilliant! With a twist I didn’t see coming…
As the leader of Zodiac Tactical Tristan Zimmerman, code name Pisces can pick and choose the jobs he takes. Playing bodyguard to a spoiled actress is not what he wants any part of. But the closer he looks the more he sees the real Alyse Peterson. He sees fear, pain and secrets. He can’t walk away. Alyse has a stalker and he always seems to be one step ahead and willing to stop anyone that gets in his way. But he’s never encountered a man like me.

I just love how Tristan takes care and protects Alyse and always knows what she needs.
Alyse is a strong survivor. She just didn’t realize it until her very own Pisces came along!
“I voluntarily received this arc book for an honest review”

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Pisces by Janie Crouch
Zodiac Tactical Rescue Unit #4

Excellent escape into a world of danger, romance, and suspense. Alyse has a stalker, and he is escalating as Zodiac Tactical Rescue is called in to provide security for her. Will the team find the stalker before he achieves his goal? I had to find out and kept reading till I knew who the stalker was and how the story ended!

What I liked:
* Alyse Peterson: actress, model, wealthy, beautiful, lost her parents recently, works hard, always maintains her glamor princess image, has a difficult backstory, and is much more than she first seems to be
* Tristan Zimmerman: code name Pisces, in charge of the ZTR Unit, retired SEAL, commanding, leader, good with his team, finds his assumptions might be wrong about Alyse, rather smitten with the woman he is supposed to guard
* The way the relationship between Alyse and Tristan developed and that they seemed suited to one another
* Mark, Isaac, Callum, and others on the team…hope they all get a book of their own so I can see who they end up with
* Jared: Alyse’s manager, committed to Alyse and her wellbeing, a good man
* Seeing how some characters in previous books in this series are doing…along with some from a sister-sisters are, too
* That Tristan took a personal interest in Alyse and her case though he didn’t plan to at first
* The teasing and camaraderie of the team while still 100% professional on the job
* The overlap between this and the previous Zodiac series
* The setting of Los Angeles since I grew up there
* Learning the backstory of Alyse
* That the stalker was not stupid even if he was more than a little deranged
* The conclusion and resolution of the story
* That this is a go-to author that never lets me down
* Wondering who will have their story told next and who they will end up with

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Being able to truly dislike the toxic characters that were easy to hate
* Finishing the last page and having to say goodbye to the characters

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

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

5 Stars

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great end to Zodiac Tactical! Though I'm surprised she didn't work her way through all 12 signs. There's definitely enough people on their payroll. I'm excited that there's a new spin-off/crossover with Zodiac and Linear Tactial units in Oak Creek!

Tristan has popped up in other books, and I've always been intrigued by him. Especially after his bigger roller in the previous book. He's your regular Janie Crouch hero. An alpha but also a cinnamon roll hero when it comes to his women. She does great at incorporating both kinds of hero into one great character.

Alyse was a new character. She has anxiety and depression as well as a slew of body image issues after being mentally abused by a horrible acting coach when she was a teenager. Despite all her mental health issues, she's still very independent and won't take crap from people. Though those interactions will drain her emotionally and physically afterward.

Tristan and Alyse are a bit like oil and water in the beginning, but most of that is misconception and giving judgment without getting to know each other. Of course, they are still drawn to each other and quickly figure out the other is exactly who they want.

The bad guy is pretty creative, but I was a bit surprised he was able to give all these people the runaround for so long. Eventually, they figure it out, but not before he kidnapps her! I expected this. It always happens in Ms. Crouch's books. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess 😏

There's two sex scenes. They're medium in length. Detailed enough to give it away, but still tasteful.

Spoiler Alert:

I was surprised by Tristan's choice to use her as bait without her knowledge. Not only that, but to call the paparazzi and allow her to be bombarded by those people without her "armor" of being dolled up. It seemed out of character for him. But I guess we can all make irrational choices sometimes. Especially when the person we love the most is in serious danger.

I'm looking forward to finally getting a book about Jenna! She's been in and out of multiple books since she was rescued in a Linear Tactical book a while back. Her and Mark are next and I'm excited about it!

[S Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

When America's Glamour Princess is stalked by a dangerous man, her manager turns to Zodiac Tactical to take on bodyguard duty while trying to find and neutralize the threat. Movie star Alyse isn't what she seems to be. Her public persona is that of the good-time party girl, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Actually extremely introverted and somewhat traumatized by her past, she'd much rather hang out at home binge watching TV than going out on the town. While she loves her profession, the social commitments required to keep her front and center in the press to help her succeed make her very uncomfortable. She manages personal appearances and the like through her armor of a perfect face, perfect clothing, and always having a smile for those around her. The need to be perfect is so ingrained that any time she senses any weakness in her appearance and demeanor, anxiety is sure to follow.

Tristan is Zodiac's head of their protection unit. Making unfair assumptions about Alyse's character based on her social profile, he's a bit of a jerk when they meet. His extreme attraction to her doesn't make sense to him and it jolts him out of his comfort zone. Not knowing what to do with these feelings, he takes out his inner turmoil on Alyse and others around him.

Tristan continues to fight his attraction, as Alyse can't truly be the sweet, intelligent woman he sees in his interactions with her. He's convinced himself that the hype is true and is a bit dismissive and difficult with the troubled star. However, the more time he spends with Alyse, and the more he learns about her daily struggles with anxiety, the more enamored he becomes. She is deceptively strong amidst her issues.

While I liked the two of these characters together, Tristan is a grumpy, difficult man. His snap judgement about Alyse and his early treatment of her were unwarranted and a bit rough. As these two characters connect, however, they tend to balance each other well. Tristan helps Alyse learn to relax and Alyse challenges Tristan's misconceptions and gets him to open up to her.

The mystery of the stalker will keep you guessing to the end. The pieces to solve the mystery fall into place quickly and the conclusion of this story is action packed.

Four stars for this suspenseful romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[CVZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

America’s Glamour Princess And Her Bodyguard

Another good installment in the Zodiac Tactical Series! Though this is a work of fiction, this story sheds realistic light on the day to day challenges of living up to a “brand” of physical perfection. Alyse, dubbed America’s Glamour Princess, is imprisoned in the “armor” of perfect hair, makeup, and designer fashion each and every time she is in the public eye. But when an illusive, obsessed stalker enters her life, Tristan Zimmerman, aka Pisces, head of Zodiac Tactical, is hired to protect her and hunt down this stalker. And so the story unfolds.

There are several take-aways from this entertaining story. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” becomes crystal clear. Perfection and thus living an illusion is a roadblock to living one’s true life. Finding someone that sees through the facade is priceless.

Tristan worked very hard to prove to Alyse that her natural beauty shined through. Encouraging her to be seen without makeup was a giant leap. Though it’s great to be comfortable in your own skin, I don’t personally see a problem with wearing subtle enhancing makeup, wearing your hair styled, and decent casual clothing. It’s not an “all or nothing” issue. I wear makeup and do my hair EVERY DAY and it is not my mask but just a part of my good grooming practice. I found it unsettling that from appearing with excessive makeup, hair styling, and designer clothing, Alyse goes out in public looking like she was spending her day deep cleaning her home. Another issue I had with this story is that there were way TOO many sex scenes. I know it’s a matter of personal taste, but I enjoy my “go to” romance genre novels with 4/5 story line and no more than 1/5 sex scenes. Way too much sex in this story.

I loved the twist and turns when we, as readers, became aware of who the stalker was and why. I found myself having a little compassion for the stalker and the reason for his obsession. The climax was a little over the top but had me totally invested and on the edge of my seat. I loved the epilogue. All in all, it was worth the read.

[Jane A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Pisces is book #4 in Janie Crouch's excellent Zodiac Tactical series. Former Navy Seal Tristan Zimmerman, a born protector to his core, runs the close protection side of Zodiac Tactical. Tristan is immediately wary of providing a security detail for America's Glamour Princess - actress Alyse Peterson because of previous problems the company has faced protecting actresses.
Tristan and Alyse first meeting doesn't go entirely smoothly, his protective instincts are instantly put on high alert by the beautiful, perfect Alyse but despite something not adding up he buys into the social media/press portrayed party girl profile.
Pursued by a psychotic stalker Alyse is living on a knife-edge, desperately trying to maintain her composure and control by using her carefully crafted public persona to keep the world at bay and not reveal the real woman behind the perfect act. The immaculate facade hides a woman who has struggled for years to overcome her fears and anxiety and conditioning that started at a young age. As the obsessive stalker escalates and Tristan moves in, he is desperate to both keep Alyse safe and reveal the real woman hidden beneath her armour.
Alyse will break your heart as she does what she has to do to protect herself and survive in the fickle, cruel world of Hollywood but Tristan's innate protectiveness and instincts of what she really needs will also melt that same heart. It's touching, tense, heartbreaking and wonderful all at the same time, the romance will sweep you away while the suspense will keep y0u gripped and enthralled. The story also hammers home 'don't judge a book by it's cover' and the truth that you never truly know what is happening in someone’s life from outward appearance. Loved the story - romantic suspense at its best plus an excellent supporting cast - can't wait for Outlaw and an appearance from old favourites is always welcome. Highly recommended.
I received an arc from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Jane Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tristan Zimmerman is the head of Zodiac Tactical’s Protection Branch based in California. He is one of the twin sons of the Governor of Wyoming and younger brother of Gavin (REDWOOD..Linear Tactical series) Like much of Zodiac, Tristan is former military… NAVY SEALS. A true leader and good friend to his team members. He does’t suffer fools and self-absorbed actress-models is high on his list of fake and vacuous. His personal preference is the “real”; the authentic and genuine person.
Alyce Peterson was born into Hollywood Royalty. Her late parents died recently and she feels an obligation to uphold their memory. Dubbed “America’s Glamour Princess”, her public face is actually a facade. Only her agent Jared understands this. She has a terrifying stalker who has gotten into her personal space and taken personal items. He will kill anyone who stands between the stalker and Alyce. Her image is everything, for reasons readers will eventually learn. While exposed publicly, she refuses to let anything interfere with her private space.
CONFLICT! Tristan knows what it will take to keep her secure. He resents this fake actress determination to keep security outside of her home. She must protect her solitude at all costs. Their push-pull is off the charts. Until very slowly, readers and Tristan learn her reasons.
JANIE CROUCH once again hits a book out of the park.. or as we go into football.. the end zone. Her characters are complicated and complex. With her customary witty dialogue, twists and turns..secrets are slowly reveled. And TRUST, something of vital importance to them both. Who is the stalker? Why is this person terrorizing Alyce? Who is the real Alyce? Can Tristan trust himself and Alyce to keep her safe? Or will he fail them both? Will he save Alyce or will he fail to save her because he did’t trust enough?
A serious page-turner this reader had to stay up late to complete. could not stop reading and trying to figure out this tightly well-written thriller. A fabulous read with a crossover with Linear Tactical as a Bonus at the end.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy…. Actually…OH MAN!!! What a read and another great instalment in the Zodiac world as we see another Zimmerman brother fall to his knees. Tristan is head of the bodyguard protection services and after a bad gig with another actress, he is jaded in protecting another high profile actress. But he puts his misgivings aside and meets with Alyse who is America’s Glamour Princess, and meets with her and her Manager after she gains a stalker. His preconceived ideas on Alyse and believing what he sees on social media, turns into a tense meeting between the two. Alyse is not impressed by the cold freaking bast**** but after consulting with her Manager, they decide to give Tristan the contract….as long as he follows her rules and privacy at home. Tristan wants to know the real Alyse, not the perfectly styled and dressed doll that everyone sees and knows, he wants the messy, uninhibited woman he knows she is hiding….but will she reveal her true self to him and will he be able to catch her stalker who is always one step ahead of them.
LOVED IT!!! Alyse, the picture perfect woman who wears her armour all the time, has her reasons for always being “on” and no one invades her personal space or privacy….until Tristan….who breaks down her walls and finds the woman beneath all the armour….sigh…swoon and sigh….100 x….over and over…sigh…swoon. Not only that but the suspense and danger that follows not just Alyse but Tristan as well when he comes between her stalker and Alyse.
The story flowed beautifully without skipping a beat with amazing characters, some new and some from previous books that makes you want to go back and reread all the previous characters stories. Tristan and Alyse captured my heart from the beginning and I LOVED how Tristan didn’t fight his feelings and knew what she meant to him from the get go….did I mention sigh and swoon!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly have no idea how Janie Crouch is able to produce one amazing book after another. This book, just like all the others in this series and its sister series, Linear Tactical, is just another perfect example of what a romantic suspense book is supposed to be. I also love how this story, as with all the others, is completely different that the other characters she created.

Here we have our alpha hero Tristian. I just LOVED him. Yes he as a bit of a jerk to our heroine at first but once he got past that and got to really know her, his unwavering support and love for her just made be constantly have to sigh wishing to be on the receiving end of his attention. Then we have our heroine Alyse. With all that she went through and then the stalker in this book, my heart just broke for her. So much pain. I was so glad she had Tristian to help her.

The story of the stalker had me on the edge of my seat. The suspense was terrific. But honestly what got me more in this story was getting inside Alyse's head and seeing her struggle with body image and how the public see her, how people have treated her, how the tension of the stalking adds to her anxiety. It all felt so real that I just wanted to jump in the book and hug her. I was so glad she and Tristian got their HEA. And I just loved the extended epilogue as well as getting to catch up with a few of the other characters.

If you love romantic suspense novel or even if you just love only romance stories, you must read this book. It is another amazing Janie Crouch story and once I can see myself reading again and again.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tristan Zimmerman is the team leader of the Zodiac Tactical Guardian Unit. This division is mainly focused on protection and bodyguard services and they were just called in to protect “America’s Glamour Princess” Alyse Peterson. When Tristan first heard their potential client was an actress, he was ready to pass, they previously had an incident protecting a high-profile actress and he just did not want to deal with the hassle. But he decided to meet with Alyse and her manager when he learned the details of her case and also because they had done some security work for her father who had helped grow their reputation.

Even though he decided to meet with Alyse, he wasn’t fully 100% in. Their first meet did not start off well, but something about her pulled at Tristan’s need to protect. As for Alyse, she learned early on that she needed to keep up the life of the party glamour princess persona, never showing weakness and never showing her true feelings. But right from the very beginning, Tristan seems to see through her facade, he seems to always know what she needs.

I absolutely loved Tristan and Alyse’s story! My heart broke for how much Alyse had to hide her true self. And then seeing how the stalker and even the people protecting her have taken a toll on her was gut-wrenching. But to have someone like Tristan, who was born to protect, see all of Alyse, and love everything about her made my heart swoon. The suspense was also on point and kept me on my toes. We see a lot of familiar faces from previous books as well as from the previous series. Loved the crossover epilogue! This was another fantastic addition to an amazing series!

[Kathy Wideman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series. They are better read in order but can be read as standalone books. Tristan is the leader of Guardian Unit; they are body guards. Alyse is a model and actress. Tristan’s unit is hired to protect her when she learns that she has a stalker. Tristan has an idea formed about Alyse because of actresses they have protected in the past. But Alyse is nothing like what he thinks. It takes on look for Tristan to begin to feel things for Alyse. He doesn’t understand them right away but he still listens to them. Alyse is taken by Tristan right away. But she is shy. She is dealing with trauma from her past. She is nothing like that tabloids make her out to be. Can she let Tristan in or will she keep up her shields? Tristan is good at his job and begins to learn Alyse’s ticks and he is determined to break through her shields and hold them himself. Her stalker is smart and proving hard to track down. Will Tristan be able to protect her without hurting her himself. Tristan has never been in this situation before. Where he cared for a client like this. He may do something that hurts her emotionally while trying to get the stalker. I loved this book right from the start. Tristan and Alyse are amazing characters. They both learn things about themselves during this book. Usually, I can figure out who the villain is in books but not this one. It came totally out of left field but made sense. Janie is a must-read author for me and I couldn’t wait to read this book. Janie is excellent about creating characters and worlds. Congrats on another fantastic book Janie. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh i loved this one.
I always liked Tristan Zimmerman when i saw him in precedent books so i was glad to finally read his story He isloyal and so protective but also when confronted to Alyse he kind of loose his cool.... he met her before but he does not know how to react to what he is feeling and since it's a mission he refuse to admit he could be feeling something so....sometimes he is a jerk^^;; but a cute one.
He is the leader of his team the section of Zodiac tactical that take charge of protecting people.... we don't see a lot of his team members yet but we see some charcaters we met before and it was fun to see those characters again.

Alyse is a kind soul but she had a difficult past at least some moments and she built a carapace to protect herself...she think she must be perfect so she does not allow herself to relax if another being is present so suddenly when her sanctuary is invaded even if it's for her protection it put her wellbeing in jeopardy. Only Tristan see behind her mask, most of the time, but she still want to keep her facade....only time and trust allow her to let it off little by little.

I really loved the investigation, the twists and the stalker is quite intelligent so it was captivating. The romance was too sweet and lovely. I loved to see Pisces making mistakes as it show how human he is. I guess the only thing that could have been better was get more info on his team but really this was excellent. And the epilogue is a pure bonus so, so perfect

i just want more!
4,5/5

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "PISCES" Janie Crouch always a pleasure reading your books this was brilliantly written your hooked from the start, suspense, intrigue, danger, psycho stalker, secrets, heartbreak, steam, crossover characters, twists you never saw coming you couldn't put this book down till finished.
Tristan Zimmerman is leader of ZODIAC TACTICAL Guardian Unit Code name Pisces a former Navy Seal he's known as a protector his need to take care of people you see throughout this story.
Alyse Peterson well known actress & model she called "America's Glamour Princess" been in the spotlight her whole life she great showing the people what they want but deep inside there's heartbreak she's hiding secrets something her stalker will kill to get from her.
Alyse's dad know's exactly who to call to help her he hires Tristan he's a little reluctant to take on her case from past a experience working with another movie star & one of his team members he believes Alyse will be just as difficult as last case.
Alyse & Tristan don't start off feeling good about the situation but over time the walls come down then the attraction to one another well let's say they couldn't keep their hands off one another.
I definitely recommend to get this awesome story, so well worth the read, will they figure who the stalker is before something drastic happens your on the edge of your seat to the end, will Tristan & Alyse get a HEA it a must read for sure I hope there's more to this series to come. LOVED LOVED IT!!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Pisces is the fourth book in the Zodiac Tactical series. Tristan is dedicated and focused on keeping his clients safe, but when his newest assignment, Alyse, shows up, he is reluctant to take the job. Alyse is a star with a stalker that won’t quit, secrets she won’t share, and can’t help but feel the draw to her bodyguard. As her stalker escalates, they’re on a deadly timeline to draw him out, but can they trust one another enough with their lives and hearts?

Oh my gosh, I’m pretty sure I ugly cried reading this book. It was just so well written, but every single insecurity felt so real. And my heart just bled for everything that Alyse went through. Alyse and Tristan were just absolutely fabulous together, and this book took me on a wild, emotional journey with them. Alyse had a traumatic past that lead to a lot of anxieties now, always feeling like she had to be turned on when around other people, and I just felt for her struggle. Ms. Crouch did a fantastic job writing out her needs and fears and this character felt so realistic. Tristan was perfect for her, seeing her needs before she could, protecting her, loving her for exactly who she is, not her public persona. Their connection was dynamite, their passion explosive, and I was equally intrigued by their backgrounds, their relationship, and the danger that was in between every chapter. I don’t want to give anything away, but I did not guess the direction the danger would lead. It was so good! This series has been amazing since book one, but I think this one might be my new favorite from Ms. Crouch!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another awesome romantic suspense book by Janie Crouch. Tristan is in charge of the Guardian Unit of Zodiac Tactical. That unit focuses on body guarding and protection services. Tristan’s latest mission is to become the bodyguard for actress and model Alyse.

Alyse discovers that she has a stalker who has easily, and silently, infiltrated her hotel rooms and home. Her agent chooses Tristan because, years ago, he had helped her parents when they had a problem.

At first, Tristan and Alyse don’t get along because he assumes that she is lying in her answers about her private life. He doesn’t realize that she has makes up her professional image as a way to hide the fact that, when she began her acting training, her trainer had emotionally abused her.

Eventually, Tristan is the only person who is able help Alyse shake off the aftereffects of her constant abuse while she was growing up. As he slowly learns what the trainer had done to Alyce, he teaches her coping mechanisms to overcome her fears and to build up her self- image.

This exciting story is filled with non-stop action and dangerous intrigue that will captivate readers. The romance between Tristan and Alyse is beautiful and heartwarming. They are are very in-tune with each other’s emotions and thoughts. Thus, Tristan understands Alyse’s fragile emotions and uses his strengths to help build up her confidence

This story will keep the readers on the edge-of-their seat. Then near the end of the book, the author brilliantly surprises us with who Alyse’s stalker really is.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! It was awesome getting to see this side of the Zodiac Tactical business, personal protection or bodyguards. Tristan runs this division and they get pulled in to protect Alyse Peterson, a high profile actress, from a stalker that is escalating. Tristan typically doesn't like to protect the movie stars with the high maintenance and drama that tends to come with them and they way that they don't take the protection seriously. Alyse is different but she puts up a high wall to pretty much everyone and she has her reasons but it makes getting a real impression of her difficult and getting close to her. I loved watching these two come together. They have a connection right away that and it sparks Tristan's instincts into high alert. It takes awhile for their guards to start coming down and the trust to start building between them amidst all the tension regarding the stalker. This story had plenty of twists and turns and suspense as they tried to figure out the connection between Alyse and the stalker, what he was going to do next, and how he seemed to be getting information he shouldn't have. This story pulled me in from beginning to end and once started, I didn't want to stop. It was gripping and compelling and I loved the characters. I loved getting to see some old faces and new faces with the bodyguard side of things. I am super excited for the next books and can't wait for more!!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th installment of the Zodiac Tactical series. All of them can be read as stand alones. They are new characters in each installment with new adventures. This one is considered a crossover with the Linear Tactical series as Tristan Zimmerman has two siblings who find their hea within the Linear series. It also crosses with the Omega Sector series as Callum Webb works for them. He's been appearing quite frequently in the Zodiac Series.
Tristan is in charge of the personal security division of Zodiac Tactical, and he's based out of California. Alyse Peterson is an actress known as America's Glamor Princess. A carefully cultivated persona. However, she has a stalker who has gotten dangerously close to her. Jared, her manager enlists the help of Zodiac as her father, also a celebrity, utilized their services over the years. Tristan is drawn to Alyse in ways that he can not explain, and for some reason he has a way of calming her anxiety. Remember I said persona? The real Alyse is very opposite of what the public sees. Tristan is the first person besides her parents to see that. Whenever she is around others she has what Tristan calls her Armor, perfect hair, make up, cloths,etc, and that's how she copes. Together they embark on a journey where the stalker is always one step ahead of them.
I know there are more books in the series, and can't wait.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest and voluntary review

[Dicina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alyse Peterson is America’s Glamour Princess : actress since her teens, she is known worldwide. Always smiling, always kind, she is quite the socialite…or so is what she wants the world to believe. In reality she suffers from deep anxiety and cannot bear to be around people. Every outing is a challenge for her, she only allows herself to be herself inside the confines of her home. But a stalker is tracking her, even in her home she doesn’t feel safe anymore.

Enters the Zodiac Tactical men : highly trained men they specialize in bodyguard services. Their leader Tristan Zimmerman is however not sure if they should take on this case since the last time they guarded a Hollywood actress had been a nightmare, but he sees that Alyse is not like the others and the threat she faces is very much serious.

As the days unfold Tristan discovers a woman at the opposite of what he expected of her and he likes her… a lot more than he should. When the threats escalate he will stop at nothing to save Alyse once and for all.

I loved this book, I loved all the aspects : the romance, the action, all of it. Tristan was so comprehensive of Alyse’s issues and he helped her a lot in accepting herself and learning to trust him. I would have liked more chapters from her POV though, I felt like we had more often Tristan’s POV and it left me frustrated at times.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back with the Zodiac Tactical men, all former military nowadays dedicated to guarding those in need. This time Tristan ZImmerman, leader of the group, is the one that will be personally in charge of acting as the bodyguard for an actress he considers spoiled and entitled. But he soon learns that the person behind the facade , is totally different.
Alyse Peterson is part of a legacy. Though she shows to the world her Glamour Princess persona, she really is a woman that is struggling internally. One who has panic attacks and hides behind her “mask”.
But she needs someone to keep her safe from a stalker that is getting more dangerous by the minute.
As Tristan and Alyse get to know each other, secrets are revealed and feelings develop. But trust is hard to earn. What happens when betrayal occurs? What happens when the stalker seems to succeed?
While the story was one with an engaging plot and wonderful characters, it was more than that.
This was a reminder that the experiences of a child whether good or bad, will affect the individual as an adult. Abuse occurs in many forms, sometimes not obvious, but still very real.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janie Crouch sets the stage perfectly for Code Name Pisces to be the quintessential romantic suspense complete with danger, intrigue, action, an ever escalating vicious stalker and oodles of spicy sizzle. What's not to love? The suspense and mystery are so intense at times you'll get chills. Waiting for the other shoe to drop will keep you on the edge of your seat. Trust me when I say I caught myself holding my breath a few times in anticipation of what would happen next.

Tristan Zimmerman is a former SEAL, all Alpha male and a protector. As head of Zodiac Tactical's Guardian Unit he's the ultimate decider which jobs they take on. Based on past experiences providing security for an actress much less someone who looks too perfect to be real wasn't something he necessarily something he wanted to tackle. Talk about judging a book by its cover! In a town and an industry where image is everything it's exhausting trying to keep living up to the hype of being Alyse Peterson, America's Glamour Princess. What they don't see is the woman beneath the armor she wraps around herself. Tristan seems to see somewhat behind the façade but it takes all his skill to really understand Alyse. The more he knows, the more he comes to care.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyse Peterson was groomed to be perfect as an actress and as a spokesmodel. Always perfect, even though the stress of maintaining perfection has resulted in isolating herself from almost everyone. Her home is her refuge. When she is terrorized by a stalker, who seems able to reach out to her no matter the precautions, her manager requests that Zodiac Tactical Guardian’s Unit protect her. Tristan Zimmerman, Code Name: Pisces, is in charge of the Guardian Unit, but he is not sure that protecting a model and actress would be a good fit for his unit. That is until he meets Alyse and realizes that there is more to her than her public persona. Will he be able to break through her barriers to free the woman hiding behind them? Alyse is still recovering from an earlier abusive situation and the feelings of inadequacy have been difficult to overcome. Can time spent with Tristan give her back the joy in life that she so deeply misses and needs? An emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation, from the author, for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[djc- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyse is an actress and is referred to as America's Glamour Princess. She has a stalker and her agent decides she needs protection and knows just the right agency for the job. Tristan/Pisces runs Zodiac Tactical and they are in the business of protecting people who are in danger. Tristan usually works in the background of his cases but feels a protectiveness towards Alyse that puzzles him. He decides he will take on this job himself. The communication, connection and chemistry grows as time goes by to solve who is behind the threats to Alyse. My heart went out to her for all she had been through and now she finds out its about to get worse. These are both terrific characters and it was great to see them work through their issues. The suspense of the story grabs you from the very start. I really enjoyed the bonus epilogue.

What an author!! Janie has always written books that will keep you captivated from the beginning to the very end. They are always a thrill to read and I can't wait to see what's next.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed; all opinions expressed are my own.