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Code Name: Fox / Mind Games

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Novella One and Two of the paranormal romance Syndicate Series.

Novella One: Code Name: Fox

Shifter, Skye Lannister, takes a job at the Agency in hopes to help her kind, but the Agency isn’t what it seems. Caught by the vampire Syndicate council member, Zeek, Skye starts to question what she was thinking taking the job. When Zeek urges her to look deeper into the Agency, Skye learns that the company is hiding dark secrets and menacing plans.
 
Zeek Fuchs, Syndicate Council member, vampire, drug lord, and overall badass wasn’t prepared to protect the shifter he caught hacking his systems. The naïve woman took the job on a whim and had no idea she was carrying out dangerous orders. When assassins start attacking, things heat up as the two fight to keep her alive.

Novella Two: Mind Games

Agency or Syndicate? Most witches are freelance, but being a psychic witch makes Reagan Silas valuable to the Agency's Protection and Security Division which is home to the Psychic Interrogation Unit. Since the supernatural world made itself known to the humans a few short years ago, the Agency and their mission of helping control the supernatural while protecting the humans,  has been her only purpose in life. Untrained in physical magic, Reagan's talents as a witch are only a benefit in the Mindscape of those she interrogates for the Agency.  Her world is upended during her interrogation of the Alpha of the O'Conner pack that goes terribly wrong. When all fingers point to Reagan she is faced with a cold hard truth, she's alone in this world. Without the Agency what is she?
 
Liam O'Conner, alpha of his pack, never expected to find himself wanting to protect the woman who tried to use his dead wife against him in his own mind. But after he is injured during her interrogations he gets word of the Agency suspending Reagan and he makes it his mission to stay close. The person responsible for his injuries during Reagan's interrogation is still on the loose and Liam knows it's only a matter of time before this other psychic takes him out. Reagan is his best chance at survival and salvation. Can he make her see what the Agency is really up to? Or will she never get over her past trauma with werewolves to trust him?

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2017

13 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

A.L. Kessler

89 books332 followers
A.L. Kessler is an author of paranormal and urban fantasy books and is best known for her “Here Witchy Witchy” series. A self-proclaimed coffee addict, she resides in Colorado Springs with her family and menagerie of animals. When she’s not writing her next book, she loves to read and visit with friends and family.

To learn more about her, check out her website:
http://www.amylkessler.com/
or follow her on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/alkesslerauthor

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica Nekuda.
378 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2017
where do I start!?

I met these lovely ladies while I was in cosplay as Misty from pokemon, Salina Kansas first ever comicon guys! I was immediately drawn to the table because, well, books. I was able to ask questions about the book series they had. these two women are amazing. they both signed the books for me.

The books.
Holy cow are they exactly what I want! There is a bit of EVERYTHING in it.
characters are strong, well built and relateable.
Reading pace is perfect, not dragging or going too fast in any area.
Suspense is at enough where you want to keep reading.

quick read for me
will read more from these ladies.
Profile Image for Romaine Heart.
2,337 reviews30 followers
May 30, 2017
Book 1:Code Name Fox

Skye is a fox shifter and hacker for the Agency. Travis, werewolf shifter, ends their relationship on friendly terms since she started working for the Agency. Unable to break down the firewalls of the Syndicate's computers, she is sent on a mission to hack into their computers at their offices. Will she be caught?
The Syndicate is run by the fiercest paranormal creatures. Zeek is a vampire agent who works with the Syndicate. Their goal is trying to keep balance between good and evil.
Skye has to decide whether to trust Travis or Zeek. The Agency or the Syndicate? Will she make the right choice or will it cost her her life?
I loved this book! Paranormal, vampires and shifters. The story kept me intrigued from the beginning with its twists. I would recommend this book! Standalone.
I'm volunteering an honest review for an advance reader's copy.


Book 2:Mind Games

Reagan is one of the best physic witches of the Agency. While interrogating Alpha Liam, a wolf shifter, and his mind, he ends up bloody. Reagan is on suspension. Will Reagan find out the truth about her parents? Did she attack Liam since she despises wolves, mutts after causing her mother's death?
There is an evil force trying to kill Alpha Liam from inside of him. He hires Reagan to protect him using her Mindscape. Can she protect him? Can he protect her from his pack or enemies?
I loved this book with its twists and turns wanting more. Paranormal, shifters,  vampires and witches. I wpuld recommend this book. I'm volunteering an honest revirw for an advance reader's copy.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,310 reviews132 followers
February 1, 2021
Codename Fox/mind games by A.L. Kessler and Mia Bishop.
This is 2 novellas in one. I really enjoyed both. In fox skye tries to hack into the mobs computer but zeek catches her. Now they join forces to get Travis and the head bad guy. Book 2 mind games Reagan is a
psychic and she has to to into Liam mind. But while in his mind he is injured. Now they think she did it. Really enjoyable read both books. Great stories. 4*.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,310 reviews132 followers
February 1, 2021
Codename Fox/mind games by A.L. Kessler and Mia Bishop.
This is 2 novellas in one. I really enjoyed both. In fox skye tries to hack into the mobs computer but zeek catches her. Now they join forces to get Travis and the head bad guy. Book 2 mind games Reagan is a
psychic and she has to to into Liam mind. But while in his mind he is injured. Now they think she did it. Really enjoyable read both books. Great stories. 4*.
Profile Image for Carmella.
670 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2017
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book contains 2 Novella's but both involve the "Syndicate".

The first story is about Skye, a shifter. She works for the Agency as a hacker. When she is unable to hack into the Syndicates computers, she is told to go there and do it directly. She is caught though, by Zeek. Zeek is a Vampire and no one to mess with. He knows Skye isn't an experienced agent and tries to explain to her that it is the Agency she works for that is bad.

Skye does start to question the Agency but it could mean the end of her.

The second story is about Raegan, a psychic witch and Liam, a shifter. Liam is brought in as a suspect for a murder and it is her job to go into his "mindscape" and find out the truth. Her interrogation goes wrong and now they are both in danger.

Liam must keep her close because he needs her help for the one trying to kill him. Raegan hates shifters with a passion which stemmed from her mother's death. Raegan will learn that the history she thought was fact...wasn't but can she save Liam?

Loved both of these stories and would recommend!
Profile Image for Via Mari.
Author 48 books495 followers
June 7, 2017
This book is a compilation of two novellas in one book by two different authors. The stories were paranormal romances involving Werewolves, Vampires and a Shifter.

Both novels revolve around Syndicate and Agency intrigue with just enough suspense, action and romance to keep you turning the page all night. I am sincere when I say that is exactly what I did!!

I would highly recommend this book for any paranormal fans and for those that aren’t and haven’t tried it; this would be a great first read!!

Profile Image for Tracie R.
2,143 reviews
March 25, 2017
Code Name: Fox/Mind Games are the first two novellas in the Syndicate Series. I enjoyed these stories, the character dynamics and interaction was great. I look forward to reading more by these authors
Profile Image for Aleera Ceres.
Author 46 books439 followers
February 15, 2018
I looooved this book. I love how it was two little books packed into one. It all takes place in the same alternate present day (which I LOOOVE) from the points of view of different people.
I love the mystery of the Agency and the Syndicate and I think the 'enemy's to lovers' is one of my favorite tropes. The authors did such a good job with this and I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
Profile Image for Pam James.
937 reviews21 followers
January 28, 2021
Intrigue and Romance

Two great stories in one book. Full of suspenseful intrigue. Steamy romance is just pages away. Both stories tug at your heart. I have to keep reading this series to find out what happens next. From a True Fan... Pam James.
Profile Image for Sara Galbraith.
27 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2017
Great book. It was a fun read. I loved the characters and the romance. I wish that there was more because I wasn't ready for either of the two novellas to end.
Profile Image for A Klue.
1,500 reviews327 followers
June 24, 2018
You get two short novellas in this one, my paranormal vampire/wolf-shifter/psychic witch romance book loving friends. Fox, the first story, features a vampire hero paired with a fox shifting computer hacker heroine. Mind Games wraps up this duo with Reagan, a police type psychic witch turned reluctant at first protector of Liam, the leader of the pack alpha wolf shifter.

Both have an at first adversaries to lovers theme all within the same backdrop of opposing sides of two separate organizations, in which one is more lethal and very corrupt. It was a lot to keep track of. In fact, the conflicts often stole the show and held the spotlight. I must admit I started skimming at times. Perhaps, it was because I read more for romance/main couple interaction and not so much for what was transpiring between the backdrop scenarios.

There were quite a few perilous situations that unfolded. Some of them involved graphic violence. Let's just say, the expression, "I'll rip your heart out" takes on a whole new visual, bloody meaning here. Also, the heroine often shifting and having to walk around naked in front of others seemed to occur more than I was comfortable with.

If you are a fan of this genre, you may enjoy these two stand-alone but clearly linked novellas. Overall, the concepts of the plots were intriguing and the writing flowed most of the time, but there were instances where I found it mediocre. Enough so that I lowered my rating.

Title: Code Name: Fox/Mind Games, Series: The Syndicate, (Book 1), Author: A.L Kessler and Mia Bishop, Pages: 186, both stand-alones but same shared backdrop, some very steamy scenes, some graphic violence, romance safe, paranormal themes.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
4,790 reviews16 followers
June 11, 2017
Skye looked at the looming office building and her intel told her that was where the Mafia kept the server se needed to access. She had tried to hack into their database. But they had better protection than she had skill. This was Skye’s first mission with the Agency. The Agency was around to police the paranormal creatures since mainstreaming had started. The government decided there was a need for a task force especially when people discovered all the Mafias were all run by paranormal creatures. One of the Agency’s first tasks was to clean up the streets. But to do that they needed to know which creatures were running the circuit and who the contacts were. Skye was to find out. Skye was a shifter. While in the cellar a vampire came down and caught Skye in a fox form . Skye was forced to shift back to her human form. She was then to be questioned by the Vampire who had caught her. He was Zack.
Mind Games :
Regan’s a psychic witch. Liam is a shifter. Liam is a shifter. Liam is a suspect in a murder and it is Regan’s job to find out the truth. During the interrogation things go wrong and now both Liam and Regan are in danger. Liam must keep Regan close because he needs her help. Regan hates shifter.
I didn’t like the stories I felt the characters were not developed enough. This just wasn’t for me. I am sure others will love it.
Profile Image for Gkaur.
121 reviews3 followers
March 13, 2017
I started this book with such high expectations, but no they fell on their face. I understand novellas are shorter so you have to cram a whole love story into X amount of pages, but this was just not well developed. I have read novellas that have made even the most unrealistic of stories seem manageable but this one missed the mark. A supernatural syndicate, vampires, witches, shifters, alphas, it was all there. It seemed everything you loved about the paranormal would be thrown at you in a neat package and instead it was shoved down your throat. There really wasn't any character development and I felt each character was there to fill the space. I really couldn't get into the stories and forget about the love stories, they were just to skimp for my liking. Disappointing.

Recommendation: Pass.

*ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley, thank you!
600 reviews
March 8, 2017
I received this book as an ARC from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

In a world of Vampires, witches, werewolves, shifters and more, anything could happen, even a HEA.

In book one Code Name Fox, is our introduction to the paranormal world and of the Syndicate. Not all things are what they appear to be and who can you trust, sometimes you need to go with your gut.

Book two, Mind Games, continues with the different players within the paranormal world and the Syndicate.

I enjoyed reading these two books. They are easy to read, the story flows, the chemestry is off the charts. very well done. I Can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Skyesmum .
507 reviews15 followers
March 4, 2017
I received a copy from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you to A.L. Kessler and Mia Bishop for the opportunity.
I enjoyed the book/s as I used to read the genre a few years ago. There are a few similarities with the books that I have read in the past with the Werewolf and Vampire love triangle and the steamy sex. I haven't read about a shifter that happens to be a fox, which I quite liked.
I enjoyed the quick pace of the stories and I finished them both in a day.
I think that could easily read the series of books as they are quite light and wouldn't take a lot of concentration.
I recommend caution if they were read by young adult due to the sexual content and the use of strong language, albeit quite small amounts, but nonetheless it's there..
Profile Image for poppy.
4,589 reviews28 followers
March 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this books they were great little Novellas if you are looking for a good quick read these are for you can't wait to try more i just love a good paranormal read and these were enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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