Code Name: Kodiak (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Heather Slade, Operation Alpha

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

USA Today best-selling author of shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your seat suspense.

Find me here:
Amazon: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_a
Newsletter signup: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_news
Facebook: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_fb
Reader group: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_fb_hea
Instagram: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_ig
X (Twitter): https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_x
Bookbub: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_bb
YouTube: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_yt
Pinterest: https://oashort.com/s/gr_hs_p

Learn more about my series here:
Butler Ranch: https://oashort.com/s/gr_br
Wicked Winemakers First Label: https://oashort.com/s/gr_ww1
Wicked Winemakers Second Label Label: https://oashort.com/s/gr_ww2
K19 Security Solutions Team One: https://oashort.com/s/gr_k19ss1
K19 Security Solutions Team Two: https://oashort.com/s/gr_k19ss2
K19 Shadow Operations Team One: https://oashort.com/s/gr_k19so1
K19 Allied Intelligence Team One: https://oashort.com/s/gr_k19ai1
K19 Allied Intelligence Team Two: https://oashort.com/s/gr_k19ai2
Royal Agents of MI6: https://oashort.com/s/gr_mi6
The Invincibles Team One: https://oashort.com/s/gr_inv1
The Invincibles Team Two: https://oashort.com/s/gr_inv2
The Unstoppables Team One: https://oashort.com/s/gr_uns1
Cowboys of Crested Butte: https://oashort.com/s/gr_ccb

Reviews

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

We met Kodiak and Emma in the last book of K19 Sentinel Cyber Team one. They were a secondary undercover couple in Code Name: Atticus. Readers could see the sparks were flying between these two in their fake marriage. However Kodiak, (Coleman)walked away from Emma on the dance floor at Atticus and Brenna's wedding. The excuse he made was she was seeing Brenna's brother Luke, totally fabricated. Reality, he can't handle relationships, and he has his reasons.

When Emma's house was ransacked and it appeared that her coffee pot was turned into a bomb, she ran to Brenna and Atticus. Who of course pulled in K19 for her protection, and you can bet that Coleman wasn't allowing anyone else on that detail. He's exactly the person Emma didn't know she needed in her corner. One phone call and he handled her overbearing mother. But Sherry has her perks, it's that personality that got her marine father through his PTSD. Sadly to have a heart attack take him out years later.

Emma works for the treasury and accidentally came across information that money was being funneled away from veterans organizations and into shell companies and off shore. She apparently got to close and that is why people are trying to persuade her off the trail. It's a tangled web to who is actually funneling the money and why. It's almost a Robin Hood theme. Anyone that is, or loves a veteran knows just how frustrating the VA system can be. (Literally my 82 year old father just got his VA benefits)

I appreciate the interaction between Gunner and Coleman. It's always nice to see the OG's that started K19 make appearances. These two friends share some of the same baggage. Coleman related to his brother and those that have read the whole franchise know what Gunner went through in the beginning with Doc's ex wife. It was also fun to see Zary and their children.

Frame work for the next book in the series has been laid. Luke's been a periphery character in the last two books.

[Shelly Shaw]

Code Name: Kodiak is the first book in Heather Slade's new series K19 Sentinel Cyber Team 2 and it starts with a BANG!!!

Coleman "Kodiak" Emeric is the main male character and he is fierce, protective and HOT!
Emma Sinclair is a professional analyst in the Treasury Department in DC. She is very intelligent, brave and a no nonsense kind of person.

Due to a break in a her home, Emma is assigned Kodiak as her personal bodyguard. A few months prior they were working together on a different case in California where they pretended to be husband and wife. Emma had developed some feelings for Kodiak but did not act on them. Now he was to be with her 24/7.

After the California job, Kodiak had a moment at Atticus and Brenna's wedding where he was dancing with Emma, but then saw her attention was snagged by another. So he walked away, without a word to anyone, he just left.

Due to these past moments with each other they are walking on eggshells around each other.
Then things begin to escalate and the drama continues. When they, finally, discuss their pasts with each other, it's a box of tissues moment.

In my opinion, these characters are well written, the spice is HOT and the two who have been tiptoeing around each other finally get on the same page, personally. This is a fast-paced book and I enjoyed every single word.

It took me until the villain was revealed before I could figure it out. I love this type of mystery.

Thank you Heather Slade for all your words. Keep em coming! Please.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense, Steam, and a Second Chance You Won't Forget!
Heather Slade has done it again! Code Name: Kodiak is a high-octane addition to the K19 world that perfectly balances a complex cyber-crime investigation with an emotional, slow-burn romance that hit all the right notes.

From the very first page, the stakes are sky-high. When Emma Sinclair’s fraud investigation turns deadly you know you're in for a wild ride. Emma is exactly the kind of heroine I love: brilliant, tenacious, and completely unwilling to back down, even when there’s a target on her back.

Then there’s Coleman “Kodiak” Emeric. If you’re a fan of the "lone wolf" trope, Kodiak is going to be your new obsession. He’s rugged, protective, and carrying the weight of a past mistake that makes his reunion with Emma feel incredibly earned. The chemistry between them is electric, fueled by the unresolved tension of their history and the forced proximity of a cross-country investigation.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the K19 series or looking for a standalone romantic suspense that delivers on both heart and heat, Code Name: Kodiak is a must-read. Heather Slade remains a master of the genre!

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tangled web!

Emma, in her job at the Treasury Department, starts investigating an apparent embezzlement scheme only to find that someone in her own office is tracking her investigation. In steps Kodiak, who works with her best friend's husband, and with whom she had worked an earlier investigation where he constantly and persistently flirted with her. Only now, while he takes his protection duties very seriously, he's not flirting even the tiniest bit and Emma's left wondering why.

Kodiak got the wrong impression of Emma but he's too proud to ask about what he saw, so he just shuts down. Still, he can't resist keeping her as close as possible to ensure her safety, while trying his best to keep his emotional distance.

I highly applaud the author's strong focus in this book on society's debt to our service members. Both Kodiak and Emma have suffered losses that they are still grieving, which gives the reader a very personal look into the issues veterans face.

The investigation takes several surprising turns as Emma faces betrayals from several angles while following the evidence and sorting out the truth. I was intrigued throughout the story, on the edge of my seat with some of the more harrowing scenes, and appreciated the way the entire case was eventually wrapped up.

I love the way the romance builds slowly but gradually as they work side by side and learn to trust each other. Kodiak proves to be a hard nut to crack, but Emma's quiet charm and persistent efforts finally get to the heart of the matter. These two are so sweet with each other as they heal old wounds and forge a heartwarming future together. Such a beautiful HEA with a satisfying epilogue. Highly recommended for anyone who loves contemporary romantic suspense.

[Kristina Rezac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma doesn’t just walk into danger - she collides with it and unprepared for the level of escalation that unravels around her. What started out as peak curiosity quickly spirals from a bomb threat to attacks on her life. And just when the stakes couldn’t get higher, she runs straight to her best friend and her husband who leads her to none other than back to Kodiak. The flirtatious man she remembers that left her cold at her best friend’s wedding. Kodiak remembers that painful moment when he gave up on her. He tries to hold his emotions intakes but he’s her only shot at making it out alive. Their chemistry is electric. Every glance feels loaded. As the suspense heats up, so does the heat! The heartbreak and emotional pasts only add to the thrill. This is the kind of story from Heather Slade that has you up long past midnight, promising one more chapter and delivering with twists and mystery. I can’t wait to see what the next book unfolds!

[Charity E. Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started out as a series of curious money transfers involving the VA that piqued Emma Sinclair's interest has now escalated to a break-in at her house and her coffee pot being wired to look like a bomb. Emma realizes she might be in over her head and contacts her best friend at K19 Sentinel Cyber for help.

The man sent to help her is none other than Coleman "Kodiak" Emeric, with whom she once worked with on an assignment. He was a different man then, fun, flirty, now he is quiet, and broody. Emma isn't sure what has changed but she knows she can trust Kodiak with her life.

I love Heather Slade's ability to bring you into the story, even though the characters are involved with complicated jobs you are able to understand exactly what is going on and are able to develop an emotional attachment to them.

Code Name: Kodiak is full of suspense, action and a few of those plot twists we love so much!!! I cannot wait for the next book in Sentinel Cyber!!!

[Karrissa Pruett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code named: Kodiak is special forces team twos first book and its a fantastic start to the series! Kodiak aka Coleman is protecting Emma from an unknown enemy while shes doing a serious investigation on millions of dollars of VA Money being stolen. I love the emotional battles they have between them. Emma won't give up when she sets her mind to something she wants, needs or is fighting for. Kodiak learns to open up,feel, and deal with things he hasn't in years. The ride our wonderful Author Heather Slade takes us on to find out where, who, why, what is going on with this investigation is FANTASTIC. Will Coleman and Emma end up together? Oh its sooooo good!!! You must read it!!

[NanaX8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holeeeee Sleeeeetski…what an edge of your seat, heart racing journey from the very beginning to the very end!!😳😳😳

Kodiak & Emma have several paths on this journey and secretly falling in love is the least of it!

From break-ins to death threats, the number of whodunnits to whom do you trust are quite the mystery.

When all is said and done will they make it thru it all to find the love they’ve always looked for?

Loved it!!❤️🔥❤️

[Liz Sadowsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coleman and Emma’s story is non stop action from the first chapter. It’s quite the read as these two race to solve what’s happening to funds meant for veterans that are being sent to dummy companies instead. As Emma gets to close and finds herself danger, Coleman and K19 step in to protect her. The spark between them hasn’t cooled at all from their last mission together. How this all unfolds and they finally get their relationship figured out is a fabulous page turning read.

[Andrea Smierciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for another great book by Heather Slade! Kodiak falls for Emma when they first meet but a misjudgement causes him to walk away. Emma starts investigating fraud with the VA but runs right into trouble and it's the kind that wants to kill her. The K19 Cyber team are the first people she runs to and of course Kodiak is determined to be her bodyguard. This book has it all with slow build up romance, government fraud, attempted murder and of course the great crew from K19 Sentinel Cyber.

[Nichoel Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coleman & Emma - Kodiak and Em worked on a case together in the past and their time together came to a close and life went back to the way it was. But as Emma starts an investigation of her own, she finds her home in disorder and Kodiak is back in the picture. But with everything going on can their ever present chemistry boil over as things heat up? That's for you to learn as you read yet another well written story for the K19 Special Forces team.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read, it hit me a little more emotionally dealing with the VA and the Marine Corps Marathon, but Mrs Slade is good at getting you into a story and pulling you into it. I loved Kodiak (Coleman) I had a few choice words in the beginning for him but he is now a favorite. We get to see past characters and a favorite of mine too who is a mentor to Coleman.

[Teresa Reitnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I mean WOW. This end of this story pulls at your heart strings. The plot was well developed and the wonderful characters were complex, compassionate, and driven to find the culprits. This story is one not to miss.
Note: please remember all the veterans who return, especially those with mental and physical problems. They fought for our country, so that we may be free.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! I could not put it down. Was up til 5am, was so tired the next day but worth it. Coleman and Emma story was so much fun to watch unravel. There was just enough drama and heat to make the pages fly by! I highly recommend this story to others

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love on the edge strikes a cord with the heart. Dangerous seduction is quite the thrill ride. From the heat of attraction to the heartache of romance, Slade is sure to deliver the burn. Emma and Kodiak are breathtaking.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Name: Kodiak is book 1 in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha; K19 Sentinel Cyber Team Two by Heather Slade

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.