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Strategic Entanglements
On Terra, the empire of Basur calls the shots and everybody else gets into line. Almost everybody…
The Askar get into line for no-one. They don’t seem to know when they’re beaten. Ruthless, indomitable, they are capable of anything. Like kidnapping a DSS officer for interrogation from the streets of Basur’s own capital.
Kendra Veiss, the officer in question, should be dead. Instead, she walks out of an Askari black site without a scratch on her. That’s enough excitement for a while, even for a girl who works for the Basuri DSS — the most powerful intelligence organisation on Terra. But it proves only the beginning of a cat and mouse game between her and Aran Reiner.
Reiner, an Askari secret service agent, engineered her release. Now he’s hanging around her like a hungry stray. She’s indebted to him, but he’s bad, bad news. Untrustworthy, manipulative. Dangerous to herself and a crucial DSS asset she must protect at all costs. But his arresting looks pull her like a magnet, stopping her breath, making her ache to yield to temptation.
What does Reiner really want? And how far would he go to get it?
Strategic Entanglements is the first novel in a series set in the gritty, dangerous world of espionage on an alternative Earth of the future called Terra. For fans of spy intrigue, action-packed suspense, complex characters, forbidden attraction and inconvenient, deadly love triangles.
PLEASE NOTE: This novel features adult language and situations, and is not for people of sensitive or nervous disposition. It is set in a physically dangerous and morally grey world. The characters in it are extremely interesting, but they are not nice. You have been warned.
The Askar get into line for no-one. They don’t seem to know when they’re beaten. Ruthless, indomitable, they are capable of anything. Like kidnapping a DSS officer for interrogation from the streets of Basur’s own capital.
Kendra Veiss, the officer in question, should be dead. Instead, she walks out of an Askari black site without a scratch on her. That’s enough excitement for a while, even for a girl who works for the Basuri DSS — the most powerful intelligence organisation on Terra. But it proves only the beginning of a cat and mouse game between her and Aran Reiner.
Reiner, an Askari secret service agent, engineered her release. Now he’s hanging around her like a hungry stray. She’s indebted to him, but he’s bad, bad news. Untrustworthy, manipulative. Dangerous to herself and a crucial DSS asset she must protect at all costs. But his arresting looks pull her like a magnet, stopping her breath, making her ache to yield to temptation.
What does Reiner really want? And how far would he go to get it?
Strategic Entanglements is the first novel in a series set in the gritty, dangerous world of espionage on an alternative Earth of the future called Terra. For fans of spy intrigue, action-packed suspense, complex characters, forbidden attraction and inconvenient, deadly love triangles.
PLEASE NOTE: This novel features adult language and situations, and is not for people of sensitive or nervous disposition. It is set in a physically dangerous and morally grey world. The characters in it are extremely interesting, but they are not nice. You have been warned.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2019
6 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Knightley
3 books8 followersD.E. Knightley is a former lawyer who, despite this handicap, managed to live on multiple continents and learn to speak multiple languages. She eventually met a wonderful man and settled with him in Australia, where they produced one wonderful, though very bossy, child.
She is now more of a peacemaker by trade instead of a corporate warrior, and recently published her first novel, Strategic Entanglements: an action-packed, sexy espionage thriller set on an alternative Earth.
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/DEKnightley
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/deknigh...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 21, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of Strategic Entanglements from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Set in a semi-dystopian future, this was a unique and interesting book. I believed the characters and was immersed in the storyline. I really enjoyed the suspense and tension build-up, which the author created. Some of the romantic and secret operation excitement that I was anticipating will be in the follow-up novel as it ended on a cliffhanger.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Set in a semi-dystopian future, this was a unique and interesting book. I believed the characters and was immersed in the storyline. I really enjoyed the suspense and tension build-up, which the author created. Some of the romantic and secret operation excitement that I was anticipating will be in the follow-up novel as it ended on a cliffhanger.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 21, 2019
Great read. Strong heroine, something I was glad to read.
October 23, 2019
‘The gauntlet – a weapon of stealth or last resort…’
Author DE Knightley is a former trial lawyer who now, when not writing, acts as a peacemaker ‘persuading people to reconcile before they sue each other.’ She is also multilingual and has lived on three continents during her passion for travel and adventure. STRATEGIC ENTANGLEMENTS is her debut novel.
Labeling this book as Book 1 of the Kendra Veiss Series is an appreciated promise: this initial volume presents a new character so well developed that she feels right for further adventures. Knightly describes her as ‘a kick-ass girl and romance happens to her while she is Lara Croftng [remember Tomb Raider] about the place!’ It is welcoming to discover a super female heroine of the quality of Kendra Veiss – many lessons to be learned here.
Placing the story in the year 2977, on an alternative earth, we meet Kendra first – ‘A lone woman, walking through a rough neighborhood in the middle of the night. What could go wrong? For Kendra Veiss, a lot, especially with the trouble trailing in her wake tonight, keeping just enough distance behind her not to be too obvious. But that was fine for her. For the first time in months, she felt great. Strong, fit, and capable – positive for a change. She walked with shoulders thrown back, head up, eyes scanning her surroundings, carefully stepping around foul-smelling puddles and the trash littering the ground. Some of the stuff on the unloved streets of Old Town didn’t bear thinking about. She was especially careful about encountering used needles discarded by the multitudinous drug addicts calling the place – for lack of a better word – home…This part of the Basuri capital had been bombed by the Askar during the war of succession, and it had never returned to its former glory…’
Scene set, heroine introduced, timeframe established, and the story begins –‘On an alternative Earth called Terra, the empire of Basur calls the shots, and everybody falls into line. Almost everybody… Kendra Veiss is a young woman, but one to be reckoned with. She is as complicated as her life has always been. After a difficult childhood and a turbulent coming of age, she has found purpose in the ranks of the DSS, the Basuri secret service. Times are complicated too. The rebellious, belligerent Askar were crushed by the Basur in a vicious internecine war nearly a century ago. They have picked themselves up off the ground and are making trouble again. Trouble that comes knocking on Kendra’s door. For one night, the unprecedented, the unthinkable happens. Kendra is abducted for interrogation by Askari intelligence from the streets of the Basuri capital. She should be dead. But Kendra walks out of an Askari black site without a scratch on her. A modern-day miracle, some might say. Not Kendra. She knows her guardian angels are all too human. One of them is Aran Reiner: six-foot-four-inches of arresting good looks and bad, bad news. He seemed determined to ensure her release. Now he is hanging around her like a hungry stray. What does Reiner want? Kendra knows what she wants, and she wants it bad. But she knows better than to play with fire. He is untrustworthy, manipulative. Dangerous to herself and a crucial DSS asset she must protect at all costs. So, naturally, she resolves to stay away from him. But in the tumultuous world of espionage, things don’t always go according to plan.’
Beautifully scripted with a dazzling plot rich in intrigue, tension, and first class dialogue, this is a remarkably fine debut novel by an author of significance! Recommended.
Author DE Knightley is a former trial lawyer who now, when not writing, acts as a peacemaker ‘persuading people to reconcile before they sue each other.’ She is also multilingual and has lived on three continents during her passion for travel and adventure. STRATEGIC ENTANGLEMENTS is her debut novel.
Labeling this book as Book 1 of the Kendra Veiss Series is an appreciated promise: this initial volume presents a new character so well developed that she feels right for further adventures. Knightly describes her as ‘a kick-ass girl and romance happens to her while she is Lara Croftng [remember Tomb Raider] about the place!’ It is welcoming to discover a super female heroine of the quality of Kendra Veiss – many lessons to be learned here.
Placing the story in the year 2977, on an alternative earth, we meet Kendra first – ‘A lone woman, walking through a rough neighborhood in the middle of the night. What could go wrong? For Kendra Veiss, a lot, especially with the trouble trailing in her wake tonight, keeping just enough distance behind her not to be too obvious. But that was fine for her. For the first time in months, she felt great. Strong, fit, and capable – positive for a change. She walked with shoulders thrown back, head up, eyes scanning her surroundings, carefully stepping around foul-smelling puddles and the trash littering the ground. Some of the stuff on the unloved streets of Old Town didn’t bear thinking about. She was especially careful about encountering used needles discarded by the multitudinous drug addicts calling the place – for lack of a better word – home…This part of the Basuri capital had been bombed by the Askar during the war of succession, and it had never returned to its former glory…’
Scene set, heroine introduced, timeframe established, and the story begins –‘On an alternative Earth called Terra, the empire of Basur calls the shots, and everybody falls into line. Almost everybody… Kendra Veiss is a young woman, but one to be reckoned with. She is as complicated as her life has always been. After a difficult childhood and a turbulent coming of age, she has found purpose in the ranks of the DSS, the Basuri secret service. Times are complicated too. The rebellious, belligerent Askar were crushed by the Basur in a vicious internecine war nearly a century ago. They have picked themselves up off the ground and are making trouble again. Trouble that comes knocking on Kendra’s door. For one night, the unprecedented, the unthinkable happens. Kendra is abducted for interrogation by Askari intelligence from the streets of the Basuri capital. She should be dead. But Kendra walks out of an Askari black site without a scratch on her. A modern-day miracle, some might say. Not Kendra. She knows her guardian angels are all too human. One of them is Aran Reiner: six-foot-four-inches of arresting good looks and bad, bad news. He seemed determined to ensure her release. Now he is hanging around her like a hungry stray. What does Reiner want? Kendra knows what she wants, and she wants it bad. But she knows better than to play with fire. He is untrustworthy, manipulative. Dangerous to herself and a crucial DSS asset she must protect at all costs. So, naturally, she resolves to stay away from him. But in the tumultuous world of espionage, things don’t always go according to plan.’
Beautifully scripted with a dazzling plot rich in intrigue, tension, and first class dialogue, this is a remarkably fine debut novel by an author of significance! Recommended.
February 27, 2021
*I was given a free copy of Strategic Entanglements in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I wasn't sure what to expect from Strategic Entanglements. The cover is eye-catching. The writing is tight. The world building is extensive. And Kendra Veiss is a no-holds-barred go-getter. But make no mistake, Kendra makes hard decisions that will leave your jaw dropping, wondering WTF? While the 'jump' is usually scrutinized before the 'leap', there are a few examples (no spoilers) of me screaming in my mind, "Anything but that!"
***It's important to note that there are gray areas of consent/non-consent in Strategic Entanglements. Not for readers who may be emotionally triggered.***
There are also non-sexual scenes that (as a female reader) may leave you cringing with embarrassment and anger for the main character. Knightley, to her credit, does not shy away from exploring these tough scenes. Kendra is a pure example of a woman using her intellect and sexual prowess in a male dominated world. Sometimes it is advantageous, and other times belittling. She's not afraid to play her hand and hold her breath to see if the game changes in her favor.
It was hard for me to wrap my mind around Kendra's male counterpart, Aran Reiner. Sharing -as well as being responsible for some of- Kendra's humiliating scenes made it difficult to view Aran as someone she would willingly want to be around or be drawn to. And while he comes to her aid, there is still a self-centric side to Aran that makes me wonder how much anyone can trust him. Which sets their tempestuous relationship up for book #2. Aran grew on me, but I'm proving to be much more leery of him than Kendra.
Strategic Entanglements is a sci-fi espionage thriller with quite a punch when it comes to shock value, promising a series that will run toward danger and dig deep. It is not a light read.
At first, I wasn't sure what to expect from Strategic Entanglements. The cover is eye-catching. The writing is tight. The world building is extensive. And Kendra Veiss is a no-holds-barred go-getter. But make no mistake, Kendra makes hard decisions that will leave your jaw dropping, wondering WTF? While the 'jump' is usually scrutinized before the 'leap', there are a few examples (no spoilers) of me screaming in my mind, "Anything but that!"
***It's important to note that there are gray areas of consent/non-consent in Strategic Entanglements. Not for readers who may be emotionally triggered.***
There are also non-sexual scenes that (as a female reader) may leave you cringing with embarrassment and anger for the main character. Knightley, to her credit, does not shy away from exploring these tough scenes. Kendra is a pure example of a woman using her intellect and sexual prowess in a male dominated world. Sometimes it is advantageous, and other times belittling. She's not afraid to play her hand and hold her breath to see if the game changes in her favor.
It was hard for me to wrap my mind around Kendra's male counterpart, Aran Reiner. Sharing -as well as being responsible for some of- Kendra's humiliating scenes made it difficult to view Aran as someone she would willingly want to be around or be drawn to. And while he comes to her aid, there is still a self-centric side to Aran that makes me wonder how much anyone can trust him. Which sets their tempestuous relationship up for book #2. Aran grew on me, but I'm proving to be much more leery of him than Kendra.
Strategic Entanglements is a sci-fi espionage thriller with quite a punch when it comes to shock value, promising a series that will run toward danger and dig deep. It is not a light read.
November 12, 2019
The year is 2977.
The place is Earth, just not our Earth, another one, called Terra.
It's all run buy the authoritarian Basur government, that not long ago during the secession war destroyed and submitted Askar, a rival nation now about to rebel again.
Kendra works for the Department of State Security (DSS) , the Basuri secret service, when she crosses path with Aran Reiner, her Askar counterpart
The book is full of action and twists, a well-written sci-fi/thriller with a bit of steamy romance here an there.
If you enjoy dystopian and suspence story, here is one for you, but readers beware:
as the title states, this is only the first installment in a series of multiple works. And though some may usually be read as standalone, this one feels definitely more like a set up for more to come, ending with a cliffhanger.
The place is Earth, just not our Earth, another one, called Terra.
It's all run buy the authoritarian Basur government, that not long ago during the secession war destroyed and submitted Askar, a rival nation now about to rebel again.
Kendra works for the Department of State Security (DSS) , the Basuri secret service, when she crosses path with Aran Reiner, her Askar counterpart
The book is full of action and twists, a well-written sci-fi/thriller with a bit of steamy romance here an there.
If you enjoy dystopian and suspence story, here is one for you, but readers beware:
as the title states, this is only the first installment in a series of multiple works. And though some may usually be read as standalone, this one feels definitely more like a set up for more to come, ending with a cliffhanger.
October 23, 2019
wonderfully fast-paced book.
this is the first in a series and normally i hate series that feature the same character (Only one series is the Exception) but this was a intriguing read.
An original story that kept me on the edge of my seat, a page-turner that you wont be able to put down. i can not wait to see what this author creates next. i will definitely reading the rest in this series. i think it could go a long way and please many different types of people.
action packed pages that will keep you entranced from beginning to end. i love the fact that Kendra is a strong woman who is a survivor and fighter.
get ready for this series
this is the first in a series and normally i hate series that feature the same character (Only one series is the Exception) but this was a intriguing read.
An original story that kept me on the edge of my seat, a page-turner that you wont be able to put down. i can not wait to see what this author creates next. i will definitely reading the rest in this series. i think it could go a long way and please many different types of people.
action packed pages that will keep you entranced from beginning to end. i love the fact that Kendra is a strong woman who is a survivor and fighter.
get ready for this series
October 8, 2019
This is the first book in a series that promises to be very intriguing and compelling. Fast-paced, intense action keeps the story moving quickly. Great characters like Kendra, who is the protagonist, prove to be strong and self-determined and a survivor. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 11, 2019
From the blurb this novel sounded like it was right up my alley and it did not disappoint. Smart and incredibly engaging, if you're a fan of fast paced stories set in alternate worlds, counterintelligence, kick-ass heroines with a sense of humor, add this to your TBR.
September 27, 2019
Enjoyable read.
October 15, 2019
Fast-paced and action packed
Great read! I can't wait for the next book! I was gripped from the first page and finished it in only a few hours.
Great read! I can't wait for the next book! I was gripped from the first page and finished it in only a few hours.
October 17, 2019
This is the beginning to a new series that I think will be great. It's original and holds your attention from the very beginning. 5 stars for sure.
November 5, 2019
Different slant
I didn't expect this sort of sy fy but it was interesting how things turned out with an ending with lots of questions, set up for next book.
I didn't expect this sort of sy fy but it was interesting how things turned out with an ending with lots of questions, set up for next book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews