Code Name: Blondie

Code Name #8

by Christina Skye

The New York Times–bestselling author “is terrific at writing fast-paced adventure romances . . . a tantalizing addition to the compelling Code Name series” (Booklist).

Miki Fortune is living every woman’s fantasy—stranded on a desert island with a rugged navy SEAL. But little does Miki know she’s a suspect in an international high-tech robbery, and her steely-eyed companion is ready, willing and able to do anything to make her talk . . .

Navy SEAL Max Preston doesn’t buy one word of his gorgeous captive’s rambling story as he carries her up the beach. Yeah, she’s got curves in all the right places, but Max has a nose for a con—and there’s no way he’ll let his iron control waver.

Now a hurricane’s headed their way, and for Max and Miki time is running out fast. Can they team up as friendly forces—and use Max’s amazing canine companion to escape before a deadly villain takes his twisted revenge?

“Great characters, fun storyline—and a hot, scientifically enhanced Navy SEAL.” —Fresh Fiction

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Military Romance, Suspense

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

AKA Roberta Helmer

Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.

Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second reading of this book.
I've missed having Christina's books to read since she passed. I found this one at our local libraries book sale last year and finally decided to read it again (originally read it the early 2000's). Will now be searching for her other books I've already read to reread just to feel her presence for a short time. I swear I can hear her reading them to me.
Definitely gone to soon. Her talent definitely missed.

[Blue Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I liked getting to know Miki better after being introduced to her in the previous book. Max was new and very well done. Truman was the star. Such a good doggo. I can't wait to finally read Izzy's story. I hope that's next.

[Aleda Ellsworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

F word and descriptive sex

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Navy SEAL Max Preston and Miki Fortune photographer
too bad the editor didn't fix redundant phrases like "against the wall" or correct bad typos

[debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Great read couldn’t put it down, loved the series and hopefully it isn’t over still unfinished business with the series

[Jon Hulsizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like “Code Name: Baby” the writing and editing were painful. Unlike that one, the story’s premise and execution weren’t at all credible. Christina Skye? Not again - even for a chuckle.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I was caught up in Miki’s adventure. We met Miki in the previous book, as she is Kit’s best friend and spent some time with Kit and her dogs during their story. The way Miki and Kit’s brother, Trace, were arguing at the end of that book, I anticipated him being her hero. But now we’re introduced to Max, a newer member of the elite team that Wolfe and Trace belong to.

Miki is on a remote island taking photographs for a calendar. On the last day of the shoot, the crew and the models take off in one of the two helicopters. Miki’s boss, a complete ass, insists on her taking a few more scenery shots before they board the second helicopter. Which ends up crash landing in the ocean, killing the boss, and wounding the only other person on board, the pilot.

Max is on another remote island, with his service dog, Truman, tracking Cruz, the villain who has managed to escape capture in the previous books. He sees the crash, and rescues Miki and the pilot, bringing them both ashore. But he’s suspicious of them, thinking Miki may be working for Cruz, so he promptly ties her up and hustles her and the unconscious pilot to his hidden bunker.

While the pilot drifts in and out of consciousness, Miki spends most of her time trying to figure out how to get away from Max and find help, only to be recaptured. Having nothing to do with Cruz of course, she doesn't understand his questions or accusations, or much of anything since Max doesn't tell her why he’s on the island or what he’s doing, giving her a simple cover story of “microscope and chemical assay for hire, world wide”.

Like the men and dogs in the previous books, Max and Truman are both genetically enhanced. Max’s special skill is touch and odor recognition – when he touches someone with his bare hands, he can detect, for instance, lotion or perfumes used recently, stress, etc. He can also touch the ground or a door and pick up chemicals and clues as to who’s been there before him.

To be honest, the whole storyline with Cruz kinda went right through me, without my retaining most of it. My attention was more riveted on Miki and her interactions with Max and Truman.

Overall, this entry in the series is more entertaining than the previous one, and I’ll definitely continue with the last book, which is in my TBR pile.

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in this Seal series.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit underwhelming. It was more action and "special ability" development than character driven. I think it could have been a more complete book with more character development. I just felt like the author barely touched base on referring to the heroine's back-story, and there was the same lack of depth for the hero. How can two people fall so deep on such weak grounds?! It was too superficial.

Also, the whole bonding on a deserted island thing is not very believable. I have read other books with this plot line that were done much better. because they addressed the issue of adapting to life off the island. It gave the characters a chance to develop the relationship in a real, every day, environment. Which is more believable for me. Its all fun and good with the fantasy island aspect, but with no hard reality it is just a little too unbelievable.

So basically, for me, it was a nice quick read and could have been more.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miki is an underpaid photographer doing the photo shoot from hell. Her boss is an asshole who sends everyone off the island and then wants to have sex with her. To cap things off, as they are finally (after she sets the boss dude straight) flying toward home, a storm sweeps in and crashes the plane.
She and the pilot are rescued by a mysterious stranger, Navy SEAL Max Preston, and taken, with his dog, to a cave. Now, Max is on the island to capture and uber-baddie and he's not sure if Miki is involved or not, but he knows that she's wicked hot.
Part of the "Code Name" series, I am not a huge fan and will not buy the books, but if they fall in my lap... I'll read them. This one was not as good as Code Name: Nanny, but they are going to be given the same number of stars since I can give half-point ratings.

[July · Rating 4 out of 5]

Code Name: Blondie, Miki is a photographer on location in a remote Island when her boss make a disgusting pass at her. He tries to blackmail her telling her that if she doesn't do the dirty with him she will loose the rights to the pictures she has taken in the last week, when he precedes to put his hands on her again she simply breaks his nose by giving a great round kick. Awesome. While flying back the plane looses an engine and dives into the ocean. Mike is saved by a Navy Seal Max who is on his own mission to save the world from scum Cruz. Miki is now in his way and time is running out for him to finish his mission. I liked this book.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The military has been souping up their SEALs and service dogs with genetic alterations and microchips that enhance their natural abilities and make them unstopable. Unfortunately, one of these SEALs has gone rogue and is being hunted by a former teammate. Enter Blondie, who mysteriously ends up in a plane crash in the ocean, smack in the center of it all. The usual suspicious behavior and battles again the outside ensue before it all comes to a head.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second title that I have read by Christina Skye. The first title I read was Code Name: Baby. I enjoyed the character Miki but I'd classify this title as a 'beach book'...an easy summer read without much substance. Unfortunately, I have so many books on my 'wish list' to read, I don't need to read more 'beach books'. :) I also found some errors that copy editors should have easily discovered and that's distracting and disappointing.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the best of the Code Name books and there is action from the very beginning. We have met Miki before in earlier books but this time she is stranded on a deserted island with a SEAL who is on his own mission. Max Preston isn't sure weather or not he believes Miki but he wants to.

Great book

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The eighth book in the SEAL and Code Name series by Christine Skye. It didn't work as well for me as I had hoped it would. It was alright but the humor and romance were not to my personal taste.

[Lychee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally entertaining, although neither main character made much sense to me. Will give the series another try, but not holding my breath. I've already forgotten what kept me interested enough to finish (other than it was a relatively short book).

[Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

full of suspense and a fresh approach to blonde guts in a mystery story. This is the second book in the series but if you choose to read this one first you will be fine because the characters are new and when the previous characters are brought in it works.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good. I like the whole agent getting genetically modififed to save the world and the girl who gets stranded on the island with the guy. I relly like the dog that was trained to help the agent find whatever he need on the island.

[Alexandra Harkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this romance was less rushed, and more realistic. If that can be applied to a book about a secret government sect of the Navy SEALS. I liked at the end, when there wasn't a marraige proposal, I thought that was a nice end to the story. It made it feel more real.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Christina Skye... And I enjoyed this book too... the reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars? Izzy Teague wasn't in it enough and if you read Skye's books you know why people love Izzy!!!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of a series. It can be read alone, but reading the series in order is the preferred way to enjoy these books. The characters flow from one book to another.

Another good story from Ms Skye. I enjoy reading about Navy SEALs and this one didn't disappoint.

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really quick read! I started it Saturday night and finished it Sunday morning.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I'd give more stars on a beach read scale -- but not in comparison to "serious literature". :) Fun book

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another book with Foxfire which I don't particularly like but the rest of the story was pretty good.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

torn between 3 or 4 stars. Fun book.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desert island fantasy of the first degree. I'd say there were parts that were unbelievable but that would be a little ironic considering the overarching plot. It was pure escapist fun.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. She can really write about sexual encounters!

[Lisa Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm never dissapointed with a Codename: book by Christina Skye. Loved it!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the plot. The rest of the writing, the characters, the dialogue, the setting, the exposition, pretty much was OK but not very good.