Dama X

UltraSecurity #2

by J.T. Bock

UltraAgent Oracle, his only hope.

After Surefire’s case, UltraAgent Oracle takes time off from using her mind reading abilities—until a horrific transhuman crime forces her back on the job at UltraSecurity. At the same time, an old promise forces UltraAgent Pax to confront a new villain on the scene—Dama X, a Mexican cartel leader with a gender-bending way of dispatching her enemies.

As those close to them become victims, their cases entangle, and Oracle hides an uncontrolled power surge from her boss, Pax—her ex-boyfriend and the one man she secretly loves. If he learns about her unstable power, Pax will remove her from the most important case of her life, even if it means he may die.

Super powers, romance, demi-gods, and unexpected twists follow UltraAgents Oracle and Pax as they travel to Mexico to solve a case that defies explanation.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Adventure

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2016

About the author

When J.T. Bock was a child, she wanted to be James Bond or Indiana Jones or a vampire hunter or Wonder Woman. Whatever brought her the most action, adventure and romance while play acting on her stage—otherwise known as her grandmother's basement. Now J.T. has assembled her own team of action heroes, supernatural creatures and maniacal villains and set them on adventures far from her basement to exotic lands and alternate dimensions.

From a secret location outside of Washington, DC, J.T. conjures these pulse-pounding tales to share with those kindred readers looking for an exciting escape. Her alternate identity enjoys spending time with her workaholic husband and their sidekick rescue dog, traveling to interesting locales (San Diego Comic-Con), and enjoying life to the fullest with an amazing group of family and friends and a good glass of wine.

Check out J.T.'s latest adventures and find her by flashing her initials in the sky, opening up her favorite bottle of Pinot Noir, or by email at jennifer@jtbock.com.

Reviews

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another thrilling chapter of the UltraSecurity series and it can be read as a standalone because the author was kind enough to fill in any potential blanks you may have. On the heels of Raven and Surefire rescuing the world from near disaster, Oracle has taken a break from her psychic abilities. Her rest was almost over before it could really begin when she's called to help on a case involving a new drug that had disturbing side effects. This case ties in with Pax's mission to defeat another threat to man and transhuman kind - she goes by the name of Dama X and she's the leader of a Mexican cartel. And... Oracle has discovered a new strength to her power which only serves to complicate matters even further.

To quote the author: "Super powers, romance, demi-gods, and unexpected twists..." Yup, that about sums up this story perfectly.

Oracle and Pax were easy to like and they both had me on the edge of my seat as they worked together and separately to right wrongs, figure out what was really going on, and found a way to resolve the issues the world faced. In the midst of the action and the supernatural, the love between these characters was somehow always felt and I appreciated the weight their feelings were given when it came to the choices they each had to make. This author easily sucked me in, once again, into this world of humans with super powers. Now that UltraSecurity has a new ally and there seems to be a better understanding of the skulls, I can't wait to see what's in store for these agents. I wouldn't mind seeing more of Raven. *hint hint*

Release Date: July 31, 2016
Genre: Paranormal Romance
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Steam: 2 out of 5
Book Type: Standalone - Book 2 of the UltraSecurity series with character crossover

[Susan Bissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, but you really don't need to read the first book to know what is going on, the author does a great job filling in as the story is happening.I found this book different than most Sci-Fi books. There is no weird looking monster breathing fire and flying around killing people. The monsters in this story are just filled with corrupt human beings who are out to use the transhumans that have special powers. Some of the transhumans you meet in this story have super powers that can either; read minds and/or have mind control over you or have super strengths or can shock and overpower people with electric power. Back are the characters from the first book who are now trying to find out what happened to two of their UltraAgents that go missing at the end the first book. UltraAgent Oracle (a mind reader) is taking time off to recover from the case she was on when the two agents disappeared, she is just physically and mentally exhausted. Oracle is called back when an atrocious and sickening transhuman crime forces her back on the job at UltraSecurity. UltraAgent Pax (Oracle ex-lover and boss who she still loves) who has superhuman strength have to come back together to confront a new villain Dama X, a female Mexican cartel leader with a gender-bending way of getting rid of her enemies. Oracle has noticed her powers have changed and become unstable and tries to hide it from the team at UltraSecurity, especially Pax, fearing that he will have her removed from this important case to her to help save her team members that have gone missing. All the team members that are on this case know that they can become victims as this case gets more and more involved in trying to find out what happened to UltraAgents Surefire and Raven. Oracle and Pax as they try to solve their case, people they have known and worked with before once at UltraSecurity seemed to changed for the worst as they want the powers to control the universe like demi-gods. Plus, they still have to hunt down Dama X who is hiding in Mexico, who may be the one who has the most control over what is happening to their case than what they truly know as they work on solving this case and save the ones that have become victims of the gender-bending crime before it is too late to save them.

[Sarah Leenart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely adored the previous 2 instalments in this series and this episode most certainly did not disappoint. There is something really special about these books and I'd quite like to get on the rooftops and shout it out there! There is just everything - beautiful writing, intricate plot lines that have you constantly guessing, completely original and mesmerising world building and best of all kick ass characters that make you want to root for them 100%. The entire book just swept me away and had me up at night, thinking about it every moment I wasn't reading and makes me want to give the author the biggest hug ever. This is what reading is all about, it just doesn't get any better.

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deciding to take a well deserved rest to recuperate after battling an ancient Aztec God strains her already damaged psychic abilities, Cassandra, UltraAgent Oracle barely breathes restfully before she's pressed into service by her ex-lover, Pax and their boss Ultra Director Matthews directive to help solve a horrifically, terrifying crime.

Pax' debt to Reyes is due, he has to help or sacrifice Ultra Services solvency. Reyes is reluctant to share details but slowly states every lead his team has ends at the manicured feet of dastardly new super-villain, Mexican cartel boss, Dama X. Oracle bursts in as Reyes insists Pax honor his debt and Ultra Services not tell other agencies.

It's not lost on Pax or Oracle that Surefire and Oracle's recovery from the Aztec curses they received in battle are very slow, Reyes seems to be healed. According to Oracle, men become entirely different creatures shortly after taking this new drug, a good friend to mistreated, vengeful women everywhere. Oracle won't have Pax screaming like a woman.

While this busy outing is book two of the series the read (thankfully) doesn't suffer from sequel-itis, and either book can be read as a stand-alone. This recommended fantasy isn't set in space with aliens, it's in the bizarrely unique world of trans-humans. The characters, world and storyline are fleshed nicely displaying action, humor and drama in turns
Rating 4stars

[GrnEyed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t read the first book in this two book series but that did not prevent me from understanding what was going on. J.T. Bock writes a book that is fast-paced, entertaining, thought-provoking and a bit bizarre. When I say bizarre it’s not entirely a bad thing. I found what the drug in the story does to men, bizarre, frightening, and countless other words I choose not to list.
The characters, with respect to their personalities are very believable. The special powers they possess are fascinating, and in some cases, a tad creepy. I enjoyed the interactions between Pax and Oracle. Honestly I just enjoyed Oracle in general. She was strong, smart, powerful and endearing amongst other things.
This story is far more than your basic Sci-Fi book. There is action, adventure, humor, romance, violence, and one twist after another. Just when I thought I had everything figured out J.T. Bock throws a new twist at her readers. Despite the fact I found part of this book extremely bizarre, overall this was a great read. I appreciated how, even though a number of the characters had special abilities/powers, they were still very real people. I may have to read the first book in this series to get a full picture of all the characters.