her ankle but didn’t look any less beautiful because of it. The ocean made a beautiful backdrop as the sun set behind them.
Noah knew Annie and Zac were getting married here on an island to give themselves a distinct new beginning, different from the wedding that had occurred a dozen years ago.
Tragedy had led these two together, but from that tragedy, a beautiful future had been born.
The same could be said for him and Marilyn.
“Every day you’re in my life, I realize how blessed I am.” Zac’s voice was clear and loud as he said the vows he’d written. “You are the second-chance I didn’t deserve but will forever be grateful for. You are my strength. My heart. My future. And I will never take you for granted.”
The men in the chairs, some of them part of Linear Tactical, many of them former or current military, could appreciate Zac’s words. The women next to them were their very lives. And Marilyn was definitely his.
He caught Trigger’s eye as the man slipped his arm around Di’s shoulder. Gillian was his life, too. A chance at happiness they both never considered they’d get, but would always be thankful for.
“Marry me, gorgeous,” Noah whispered into her hair.
She held up her left hand a couple of inches from where it rested on his thigh, showing him the ring. “You can’t get rid of me now.”
He lifted her palm to his mouth and kissed it. “I sure hope not.”
*****
Thank you for reading STORM.
If you’re new to the Linear Tactical series but want more, start with CYCLONE—Zac and Annie’s story!
He’d protect her from any threat… But what if the biggest threat is him?
Click HERE for Cyclone (available in Kindle Unlimited!)
- OR -
If you already love the Linear Tactical series, you won’t want to miss REDWOOD, the long awaited story of Gavin and Lexi (plus more of Zac & Annie’s wedding)!
She has secrets. He’ll show her they’re not her only option any more.
Click HERE for Redwood
The Linear Tactical Series
Protective alpha heroes who’ll face down any danger for the women they love. Binge the series today!
CYCLONE
He’d protect her from any threat…
But what if the biggest threat is him?
EAGLE
He’s fighting for what’s right.
She’s fighting just to survive…
SHAMROCK
Every mission has a price.
He never meant for her to pay it.
ANGEL
Even angels have their demons.
GHOST
Sometimes the dead don’t stay that way.
SHADOW
Dragging an innocent into his war was never part of the plan.
ECHO
The deepest scars are often the ones that can’t be seen.
PHOENIX
You have to burn before you can rise.
BABY
Don’t let the name fool you.
STORM
Noah & Marilyn
(Susan Stoker Special Forces world crossover)
REDWOOD
Gavin & Lexi
Coming soon
SCOUT
Wyatt & Nadine
Coming soon
BLAZE
Kendrick & Neoma
Coming soon
FOREVER
Ethan & Jess
Coming soon
Linear Tactical: military alpha heroes who will face down any danger for the women they love
Acknowledgments
I was thrilled to be a part of Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World with this book. Susan’s ability to write so prolifically has been something I’ve admired for a long time. A special thanks to her for sharing her world and characters with me.
Another special thanks my alpha readers: Susan Greenbank, Denise Hendrickson, and Marci Mathers. And to my ARC emergency proofers: Marilize, Tesh, Dee, Susan, Lynne, Sophie, Diana, Jo, Aimee, Sharon—you were lifesavers. Thank you.
Much appreciation to Silvia at Silvia’s Reading Corner for her edits. And for working with my ridiculous schedule for this book.
Huge shout out to Deranged Doctor Designs who not only created this amazing cover, but have crafted ALL the Linear Tactical covers. My covers are gorgeous—truly some of the finest out there—and it’s because of you. Thank you.
For those of you who are finding me for the first time, I hope you’ll go back and read the Linear Tactical books. I dare say, if you liked this book, you won’t be disappointed with them. For those of you who’ve been with me for a while…it’s time for Gavin to get his Happily Ever After. Lexi’s just the woman to give it to him. See you there.
Love is the greatest adventure,
Janie
Also by Janie Crouch
LINEAR TACTICAL SERIES (series ongoing)
Cyclone
Eagle
Shamrock
Angel
Ghost
Shadow
Echo
Phoenix
Baby
Storm
Redwood
Scout
Blaze
Forever
INSTINCT SERIES (series complete)
Primal Instinct
Critical Instinct
Survival Instinct
THE RISK SERIES (series complete)
Calculated Risk
Security Risk
Constant Risk
Risk Everything
OMEGA SECTOR: CRITICAL RESPONSE (series complete)
Special Forces Savior
Fully Committed
Armored Attraction
Man of Action
Overwhelming Force
Battle Tested
OMEGA SECTOR: UNDER SIEGE (series complete)
Daddy Defender
Protector’s Instinct
Cease Fire
Major Crimes
Armed Response
In the Lawman’s Protection
OMEGA SECTOR SERIES (series complete)
Infiltration
Countermeasures
Untraceable
Leverage
About the Author
"Passion that leaps right off the page." - Romantic Times Book Reviews
USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.
Janie has lived in Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military) for the past five years, with her hubby and four teenagers. When she's not listening to the voices in her head—and even when she is—she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.
Her favorite quote: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller.
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Christie Adams: Charity’s Heart
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Linzi Baxter: Unlocking Dreams
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Alice Bello: Shadowing Milly
Heather Blair: Rescue Me
Anna Blakely: Rescuing Gracelynn
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
Anne Conley: Redemption for Misty
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Janie Crouch: Storm
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Sarah Curtis: Securing the Odds
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Tarina Deaton: Found in the Lost
Aspen Drake, Intense
KL Donn: Unraveling Love
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
PJ Fiala: Defending Sophie
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Michele Gwynn: Rescuing Emma
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kris Jacen, Be With Me
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Kimberly McGath: The Predecessor
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
Lynn Michaels, Rescuing Kyle
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Keira Montclair, Wolf and the Wild Scots
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
Angela Nicole: Protecting the Donna
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Victoria Paige: Reclaiming Izabel
Anne L. Parks: Mason
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
TL Reeve and Michele Ryan: Extracting Mateo
Elena M. Reyes: Keeping Ava
Angela Rush: Charlotte
Rose Smith: Saving Satin
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynne St. James: SEAL’s Spitfire
Dee Stewart: Conner
Harley Stone: Rescuing Mercy
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Reina Torres, Rescuing Hi’ilani
Savvi V: Loving Lex
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Rachel Young: Because of Marissa
Delta Team Three Series
Lori Ryan: Nori’s Delta
Becca Jameson: Destiny’s Delta
Lynne St James, Gwen’s Delta
Elle James: Ivy’s Delta
Riley Edwards, Hope’s Delta
Police and Fire: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
B.P. Beth: Scott
Jane Blythe: Salvaging Marigold
Julia Bright, Justice for Amber
Anna Brooks, Guarding Georgia
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Deanndra Hall: Shelter for Sharla
Barb Han: Kace
EM Hayes: Gambling for Ashleigh
CM Steele: Guarding Hope
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Aubree Valentine, Justice for Danielle
Maddie Wade: Finding English
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
Laine Vess: Justice for Lauren
Tarpley VFD Series
Silver James, Fighting for Elena
Deanndra Hall, Fighting for Carly
Haven Rose, Fighting for Calliope
MJ Nightingale, Fighting for Jemma
TL Reeve, Fighting for Brittney
Nicole Flockton, Fighting for Nadia
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee
Securing Jane (Feb 2021)
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley
Shielding Aspen (Oct 2020)
Shielding Jayme (Jan 2020)
Shielding Riley (Jan 2021)
Shielding Devyn (May 2021)
Shielding Ember (Sept 2021)
Shielding Sierra (TBA)
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie (Apr 2021)
Finding Lexie (Aug 2021)
Finding Kenna (Oct 2021)
Finding Monica (TBA)
Finding Carly (TBA)
Finding Ashlyn (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (Novella)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.