Gabriel “Gator” Moreno arrives in Florida ready to face his past, exorcise his demons and settle an old debt. To kill three birds with one stone, he has pledged to keep Alysa Cortez, his old friend’s sister and the woman who owns his heart, safe from the gang hunting her. What he isn’t ready for is the revulsion he finds in Alysa’s eyes when she sees him at her doorstep.
She loved him once…
Alysa Cortez never expected to see Gabriel in his old stomping grounds six years after he hightailed out of Tampa and straight into the arms of Uncle Sam. Neither did she expect the burn of betrayal to morph back into desire when she came face-to-face with the new law-abiding, hard-muscled and hot-as-hell soldier. When her brother’s legacy sinks its claws into her, she must put her trust in the one man who’s already broken her heart once—and is bound to do it again.
NOTE: This story is a tie in between Desiree Holt's Omega Team World and the A.W.E. Crew Series. While the setting of the story is Desiree's Omega Team's stomping grounds and the Crew men are not fully in the picture in this book, one known Crew character, who made his debut in Alternate Connection, plays an important part in GATOR's story. Gabriel and Alysa will make regular cameo appearances in future Crew books.
Chris Almeida (also known as C. Almeida) began writing children’s stories at a very young age. Born in Brazil but currently living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Chris’ life took a totally different course when technology came into play, and the following 17 years were spent delving deep into the world of programming and web design. It was in 2010, when Chris began role playing online as a hobby, that writing wormed its way back into the picture. This time, writing storylines for the role playing group. The ideas and plots created for the game awoke the inner writer and a few months later, together with partner in crime C. Aubrey, began writing erotic romance. Now, still together, they have written a number of short stories and novel. They are currently working on book three of their series as well as several short stories. Through it all they have continued to enjoy role playing through their favorite characters.
Chris welcomes feedback, input and comments from readers. You can get in touch via FB, email, Linked in and Goodreads. Links below:
When bad choices as a teen lead to your path diverging from your best friend and your best girl, coming home is often paved with misunderstanding and wounded feelings. Such is the case for Gabriel (aka Gator) when a call from his childhood running buddy Manuel sends him back to Ybor City to protect Alysa, the girl he left behind, now in danger from Manny’s actions.
Gabriel 2.0, as Alysa has taken to referring to him, is toned, trained and ALL grown up now with an alpha bearing that is part military, part machismo and ALL palpable. The intervening six years have wrought changes to Alysa as well: grown up with a college degree and her ‘dream job’ at Deseo for the moment, she’s moved on, if not necessarily forward. Erratic behavior from her brother Manny, even though she is the last member of the family to not leave Florida for Texas, she held hopes that he would come around and she’d be there to help him.
Manny had worked his way from low level carrier to fully-fledged and trusted (as much as one can in that business) right hand to the El Rey cartel boss. Always looking for another ‘angle’, Manny had copied integral information about the cartel’s business onto a portable drive – hidden before the cartel head was called out of country leaving his erratic and mistrustful brother behind. Sensing change, Manny went into hiding while he decided what to do with the information he had stolen and hidden, leaving the cartel on a frantic search for him, or the means to flush him out.
Alysa and Gabriel are adorable together – both are so stuck on one another, yet guilt and insecurities from their youth, and those fleeting long held moments relived for the past years have them edgy. There’s sexual tension and past misunderstandings that shoot fire with every glance, and the fear about asking the one question each wants to know brings them back to that teenaged tumult with your first significant other. Almeida and Aubrey write some of the best back and forth dialogue, it displays both of their ‘sensitive underbellies’ as the interior monologues show just HOW desperately these two want, and are good for, one another. This isn’t just a wander down memory lane though: these two are steamy together, but that is surpassed by the wonderful tension filled moments surrounding Manny, the Cartel and the help from the Omega Team, the story is fast paced, layered with emotion and action, and certainly lives up to what I’ve come to expect from these authors in their storytelling.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Substance B for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Gabriel “Gator “ Moreno receives a phone call from his childhood friend, Manny Cortez asking Gator to return to Florida to protect his baby sister. While Gator gave up his criminal leanings and became a Navy SEAL, Manny stayed in Florida, living a life of crime and now he has ticked off the El Rey drug cartel. Gabe can’t say no to Manny so he heads down to Florida to see what he can do to help out his friend. Alysa Cortez never imagined that Gabe would return to Florida or that she would still have feelings for him after all these years. Angry at Gabe after she assumed he turned on Manny when the two got arrested as teens, she really isn’t happy that Gabe is back in town. Will Gabe be able to protect Alysa? Can the couple work past their issues and years of separation to find true love? I am always excited when I get my hands on a book by these two authors. I always know I am in for a well researched book with strong characters and a lot of heat. Gator is another example of the fantastic writing this duo produces. While I liked Gabes’s character, Alysa has to be my favorite. Like all the women that Almeida and Aubrey write about, she is strong, independent, and knows what she wants. Her take charge attitude and family loyalty earned her designation as favorite character after just a few pages of reading. I loved how she had no problem at all telling Gabe what she thought . If you like a little action thrown in with your romance, this novella has some great scenes. There is a high speed car chase through busy city streets and even a shoot out. Almeida and Aubrey do such a fabulous job with writing these scenes that they played out just like a movie or TV show in my head. I swear I could hear the tires squealing and the bullets ricochet off of things. Gator is part of the Omega Team Kindle World series and it can be read as a standalone. Almeida and Aubrey once again deliver with an action packed romantic suspense that had me wishing that this was a full length novel. These two authors are a must read for any romantic suspense fan.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Review also to appear on somanyreads.com *
Gabriel a.k.a Gator had a mission, task of sorts and that was to protect Alli because Manny was in too deep and she was in danger. What Manny didn't know was that her heart was placed in danger six years ago and the person sent to protect her was the one who her mind and body fear the most. To go in with her heart after everything is said and squared away. To try to a future with the one who six she had without a second that is the firefight. Her young Gabe was no more, now he was Gator. The fierce Special Ops who will put his body on the line to save his life (Alli).
This was a romance of second chances and being more than what left without an explanation. It was about growing and stepping up and not out of the way, to throw yourself all in to protect love. It was about being more than an assumption of a person. Growth and deals when wanting to be more than a stereotype. Letting go and following your destiny. Mission Complete!!!
Hot out of the gate...a great addition to the Omega Team series! In typical Almeida and Aubrey style, Gabe (Gator) and Alysa's story grabs you from the opening paragraph and holds on to your throat until the last page. Not only do you have action and suspense, but you also get romance and HEA thrown in for good measure. I have never been disappointed by any of the stories by these authors, with each one receiving a solid five stars.
This book was provided by the authors for my honest review.
This is a novella in the Kindle Worlds Omega Team that can be read as a stand-alone.
An urgent phone call from a man that was once his best friend sends Gabriel (Gator) Moreno back to his Florida origins to protect his friend’s sister and the woman he’s always loved. It’s been six years since he joined the service, now a Navy SEAL and he did not leave in good standing with her, leaving was the only viable option at the time that he had to take but losing her was a personal cost that has haunted him. Seeing her again is something he’s been wanting to do, the call was just the catalyst to do so.
Prior to going to work at the nightclub she manages, Alysa Cortez answers a knock on her door to find her first lover, the man who abandoned her and her brother for the service with no communications since. To say that she’s stunned is an understatement, she’s also still angry and shows it, she is one tough Latina who is about to learn that there was more to his disappearance than she ever knew.
Thanks to her brother Manuel, Alysa has lived with some misconceptions about Gabriel that she’s not sure how to deal with, her brother Manny has also brought dangerous trouble into her life just by their familial association. She can trust Gabriel to protect her body but can she trust him with her heart? The feelings she had for him never died, seeing him again shows her that but he abandoned her once.
Though short in length this novella packs in a lot of emotion. It’s a great second chance romance with strong likable characters who suffered a forced separation from the indiscretions of youth, reconnection leads to redemption for one of them. This is a tale of the lengths a person will go to better themselves and the sacrifices it sometimes entails. When we are young choices made for the right reasons tend not to be executed wisely and can lead to misconceptions for lack of communication. This time around both the protagonists are older, more mature, and the love they felt was never totally extinguished, its embers flared to life with their reconnection.
The suspenseful storyline enhances the impact of the reconnection, forcing Gabriel and Alysa to spend time together for the sake of protection. Alysa is a great complement for the man Gabriel is now, when faced with danger she’s doesn’t run and hide, she’s gutsy. I loved the twist about the brother which was unexpected yet not totally surprising, there were hints you just needed to interpret properly. The ending action scene was quite explosive, a most satisfying wrap up to the danger faced. There were a number of interesting characters whose stories I’d like to read.
An advanced reading copy was obtained from the authors.
First let me say that I got this book as an advanced reading copy or ARC. Now let me get back to the review at hand.
I love this book from the start. No matter it was short the book was full of surprises and unforeseen turns that I didn’t expect in the slightest.
Gabriel “Gator” Moreno is a man with a past. Knowing the main female character from his early years you can see his hesitation the first time he gets back home after a call from his friend who asked for help. But even that a promise made is a promise kept so he is there to do everything that needs to be done. No matter Alyssa isn’t going to like it he will be there for her. When I encountered the word ‘slammer’ I couldn’t grasp the meaning. I still don’t, not in fullest at least. But my first though was that this is going to be a mafia story. You know the Godfather style. But I was so totally wrong about it. Have I told you that I love stories about the Navy? I was greatly pleased at the moment where she named him Gabriel 2.O. Like he is some kind of an AI and this is a just new version of him. Geeky yet sexy. I usually try to avoid stories that take too long to get into the actions, take too long to explain things but this is not the case here. I dived right into the actions right from chapter two. The authors did an amazing job. I had the feeling that I was there right in the middle of the gunfire expecting to be rescued by a sexy guy from the Navy. I envy the heroine. I want to go there stick a gun to her face and say. “Your time is over. Pack up and go. Gabriel is mine and it will be so forever” This is how much I loved the book and I hope that you will too. Now chapter four was a total blast. When someone says kamikaze I imagine a lone person wearing a vest with explosives. Totally, not what I expected. And guess what? I’m not going to tell you. You’ll just have to read it and find out. And all this action and unexpected turns of events, the story keeping you on edge not knowing that around the corner is just the beginning. Wait until the end and you will be amazed. At least I was. So to sum it up. This book has everything I needed and probably everything you are looking for in a book from this genre. So don’t hesitate. Go, grab it and read it because Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey have done an amazing job yet again. I dare say that they have even outdone themselves and are better than before. I can never get enough of them. Their books are my personal drug and I don’t want to ever stop using it. If I could rate this book 10 start or more I would but since Amazon allows only 5 I will give the book 5 out of 5.
I was provided an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. It will be available to everyone on 24 May 2016.
This is a Military meets Crime Fiction novella.
While between military deployments, Gabriel aka Gator received a message from a long time friend to protect his sister. Gator felt compelled to honor his friend's request. Will it be his downfall or resolved some issues from his past?
I have not read any of the Omega Team books but it did not seem to matter as enough of the information was provided to get a general idea of the set-up. I really enjoyed reading this story and could relate to some of what Gator was going through from my own life experiences.
Warning: This is for Mature Audiences due to Violence, Sexual Situations, and Adult Language.
I loved this book. It was a quick easy read. I couldn't put it down. I encourage everyone to go get this book, you will not regret it. This is a well written story. This is the first book by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey but it will not be the last. This is a book in the Omega Team Kindle World. I will be reading this Kindle World.
I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. This was an exciting read. An old friend needs help and Gator gets a chance to get back the love of his life. There are secrets and many plots in this short story. I would recommend this to everyone.
I have a new book boyfriend. He’s Cuban & he’s hot! Gabriel “Gator” Moreno is part of A.W.E Special Forces Crew. Ladies that’s not just a name, we got to meet a few members of A.W.E in Alternate Connections and we need to just stand in AWE of each one. They are all hotties and Gabe is no exception. We meet him in an introduction to the Omega Team, Kindle World series which is a combination of several authors offering stand alone novellas allowing us to explore a conjoined world of adventure fast paced action and pure HEAT. Gabe wasn’t given much of an option when he chooses to enlist, but that of wanting to be a better man for Alysa or go to jail. Through basic naivety he doesn’t return to her until her brother gives him an unexpected call telling him his baby sister in danger. Gabe’s protective instincts go on overdrive, allowing him to face her after years of being apart. Alysa, my hot headed Latina doesn’t miss a beat! She puts this majorly hot Papito in his place then gives in to all the pent up frustration and desire. Explosive and Muy Caliente love scene. I say love instead of sex because although there is a lot of passion between those sheets, there is the sense of rebuilding the love they had lost through the years. We also learn that Gabe was her first and no other since. I believe it’s the sweetness and innocence that kindle the fire between them. On a super emotional level this is my first HEA that are Cuban-American, that takes place in Florida, 6 hrs away from my home city. The connection through Hispanic/Latin culture was an awesome touch, Almeida & Aubrey did a great job tapping into their roots and drawing it out. I look forward to catching glimpses of my Gator in the rest of the series. The Oracle (Maria Mercedes) All synopsis are published by the publishers via Amazon, Goodreads or Barnes & Noble. The Oracle Reviews: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...http://theoraclereviews.com/ Reviews can be viewed on The Oracle Reviews, Good Reads & Amazon. The Oracle Reviews purchases some titles, while others are provided via Netgalley, or the authors themselves. All opinions and reviews are our own, honest & from the heart.
Don't you love books that pull you right into the story from page one and hold you there until the last page? Gator by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey did just that for me. These authors always promise well developed characters which they delivered in Gabriel and Alysa. Throw in a suspenseful plot, intense action, smoking hot passion and you have a story that is hard to put down.
Gabriel (Gabe) receives a message from his best friend Manuel that his sister Alysa (Alli) might be in trouble and needs Gabe to protect her. Of course Gabe doesn't think twice because he has been in love with Alli since he was a teen and responds to the call. Problem is Alli doesn't believe she needs protection least of all from Gabe, her first true love that left her without a good-bye and a broken heart. This was a great start to the story and I really fell in love with the characters from the beginning. Their romance is quite captivating.
Almeida and Aubrey do an unbelievable job of showing us what is going on in Gator. They have such a talent for transporting the reader into the story where we not only feel the characters' emotions, but taste the foods, smell the scents and feel aspects of a scene right along with the characters. Not just during the internal dialogue but also during the insane action scenes and sensual intimate ones.
I am always wary of romantic suspense novellas that are not part of a larger series because it seems difficult to write such a suspenseful plot along with a romance between two well developed characters all in such a short time period, but Almeida and Aubrey nailed it in Gator. The suspense and action had the right amount of build up and climax. The romance and intimacy rolled right into all of it - it wasn't forced or misplaced. And the twist at the end was perfect. I highly recommend you give Gator a read. You will love this perfectly blended romantic suspense!
This novella is part of the Omega Team Kindle World series and is written by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. I love both the Omega Team books, as well as books written by Chris and Cecilia, so I've been waiting for this and I was not disappointed. This is a standalone and you don't need to have read the Omega Team books to enjoy this one.
Chris and Cecilia packed a lot of action, emotion, and twists and turns into this quick read. And as usual with their books, the sex is hot and steamy. A novella is short, yet they managed to richly describe the characters, scenery, and get you caught up in the emotions between the two main characters.
Gabriel "Gator" Moreno is a Navy Seal stationed in Virginia. Six years earlier he and his friend Manny got caught with a car full of drugs. He was offered a deal to avoid prison by joining the military. He was put on the next plane out of Tampa and hadn't been back since. When Manny leaves him a frantic voicemail, he finds himself back there to check on Manny's sister and to try to figure out what Manny is involved in.
Alysa "Alli" Cortez, Manny's sister, got left behind when Gabriel went into the military and Manny went to prison. She used those six years to better herself. She became the first person in the family to graduate college and is the manager of a successful nightclub. She is stunned to answer the door and see Gabe standing there.
They find out that Manny is involved with a vicious drug cartel and has disappeared. The cartel wants Alli as leverage against Manny. With the Omega Team helping out with the investigation, they go into hiding. Will Gabe and Alli deal with the old baggage between them and can they stay safe from the cartel? As usual, things are not what as what they appeared both six years ago nor as they appear now. When passion ignites will they take a second chance with each other?
I received this book as an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) in exchange for a review.
First off ... Gator is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was so good that I read it in one sitting. The authors keep you on the edge of your seat with so many twist and turns that you want to keep reading to see what happens next. This story is one about a guy, Gabriel aka Gator, who made a lot of mistakes in the past. His best friend contacts him to ask him to protect his sister. This sister just happens to be the past love of his life ... one of the mistakes he made. The authors keep you wondering what will happen when the two are re-united after so many years. He hurt her, broke her heart ... will she let him back in her life? Will he want to be a part of her life after all these years. There's a third person in this story ... the sister's brother, his best friend. What happens with the brother? What has he been doing for the past 6 years? Why did he contact his friend and ask him to go protect his sister? Well, you just have to buy the book and find out for yourself. I hope you like it as much as I did. Can't wait to read more from these authors ... they're one of my favorites. Enjoy!
Gabriel, or Gator, is enjoying life, now that he has joined an elite military team, however he is forced to face his past, when his childhood friend calls. Manuel is in deep trouble and fears he has endangered his sister, Alyssa. Hoping to put the past behind them, Manuel asks Gator to protect Alyssa. Unfortunately for Gator, this means facing the girl he left behind... A girl who has now grown into a strong, independent woman who doesn't want any help from her lost love. Will the two be able to let bygones, be bygones, or will their hurt put everyone's life at risk?
Gator is a fast-paced, suspenseful story, with a steamy reunion accented by Florida's heat and Cuban spice. Readers will get to enjoy a lot of action in this short story. Readers who are new to the Omega Team, like me, will experience the setting of Tampa and they will be intrigued by the secondary characters. This book does a great job of blending two separate series, into one exciting read! Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey make excellent, quick escape books.
Notes: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
Gabriel Moreno and Manuel Cortez were friends, inseparable since childhood. Gabe fell in love with the sister of his best friend, Alysa. But Gabe and Manny got involved with serious problems in adolescence and Gabe received a proposal to go to the Navy and now he is a SEAL in a highly specialized and capable group. Gabe never forgot Alysa, his heart is always and forever her. So when Manny leaves a message to Gabe that Ally might be in danger of life, Gabe will take care of her, protect her and try to regain her love.
Chris and Cecilia wrote, once again, a beautiful love story with adventure, suspense and in a few chapters. Although I haven't read any book in the series Omega Team, I believe that the inclusion of Omega characters made of 'Gator' a perfect Kindle World.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. For a standalone novella it was full of action and it had its steamy moments too.I loved all the characters and feel they got their second chance at happiness and will do whatever it takes to change for the better and somethings you have to let go of.
Chris and Cecilia knocked it out of the park once again with an amazing backstory and yet still made it flow so effortlessly that I continually re-read their books. I swear it feels like they write a story so well you're drawn into the book and are a part of it. You just have this WOW! feeling after reading it.
I would highly recommend this book. For a novella it was action packed and I didn't feel like I was left hanging. It was the perfect story for Gabe and Alli.
This is a great book; this is the third book in The A.W.E. Crew series by Chris Almeida and Cecilia Aubrey. Gabriel “Gator” Morena arrives in Florida ready to face his past and settle an old debt. He has pledged to keep Alysa Cortez his old friend’s sister and the woman who owns his heart, safe from the gang hunting her. Alysa is not expecting the betrayal and the hurt she feels when she sees Gabriel again. They both soon realize that they still have feelings for each other. This book has a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
I really liked this book. The story-line was packed with suspense, action, and plenty of passion. The characters in the book were very well developed and very likeable. Almeida and Aubrey did a fantastic job of telling Gabe and Alli’s backstory while keeping the plot moving. They did an awesome job of transporting the reader into the scene so the reader can almost feel what the characters are feeling in the moment.
There was a lot packed into a short story but the authors really nailed it. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
This is a standalone novella, and I liked it because the story felt complete, yet I felt like I could be getting more books about some of the characters later in a series (which I want!). Gabriel "Gator" gets a call from his childhood friend, Manuel, that seems rings the warning bells for Gator. Manuel says he's gotten in deep and asks Gator to look after his sister, Alysa. Gator knows this is going to be a tough task...since he left her 6 years ago without a word.
This story is action-packed, sweet, steamy, and satisfying!
I received an Arc for an honest review. Once again these two authors deliver another great story. Gator gets a second chance with his girl after six years. Alyssa is a strong female. She doesn't make it easy for Gabe either. It's easy to fall in love with their characters. The story is full of drama intrigue and action.with each book these authors write you can see how much effort and detail goes into each book. This series has so much promise m really looking forward to reading the next book.
From the mysterious phone message in the first sentence to the steaming hot last page, this novella packs in so much action I had to pause after each chapter for a breath. The characters are beautifully written. I felt like I knew Gator and Alli, and even Manny. Suspense, car chase, wild shoot out , in depth background, surprises, and some steamy scenes that fogged up my glasses... how the authors squeezed so much into "just a novella" amazed me.
Right off the bat I want to say I loved the book. I have never read any books along this line of interest. The story line was fantastic, the characters were believable. I really enjoyed the way the authors showed that even though guys have a heart and get scared. I do recommend this book it's well worth the read. I hope to read more about these characters.
I love reading books with kick-@ss female characters, and Alysa is definitely one. She doesn't put up with Gabriel's crap for one second. Former bad boy, turned Navy SEAL and now her protector. He just wants her love again. Great story with a good dose of action. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Everything from action, romance, and sparks flying packed into 91 pages. The storyline wasn't rushed and the steamy scenes we're the perfect length. Definitely, worth the read.