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S.A.S.S. #1
Into Danger
The Woman in Black Every intelligence operative in Washington D.C. knows her name ... but little else. A tough Navy Seal with a reputation for efficiency, Steve McMillan has heard all the stories about the "world's most glamorous assassin." But nothing prepared him for the goddess in tight black leather who now stands before him. Marlena is his new assignment -- his superiors in the shadow world of secret missions want him to get information and then turn her over. McMillan is the consummate professional, but dealing with this beautiful enigma is playing with fire. To trust her would be crazy -- as crazy as following his burning desire for her to its passionate conclusion. Because there's something beyond the yearning in her eyes and the inviting softness of her lips. Dark clouds are circling around Marlena Maxwell, drawing Steve along with her into a lethal game of deception and betrayal. And perhaps the deadliest mistake they could both make would be to fall in love ...
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2003
237 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Gennita Low
35 books220 followersJenn, as everyone calls her, likes to keep things simple. That's why she runs a roofing construction business, teaches, writes and does her own business taxes eight days a week. She considers herself a multi-cultural and well-rounded person. Workers leave her alone when she starts yelling at them in Chinese and Malay. She also studies German and Russian because she can't pronounce French very well. The most boring and interesting thing she ever did was translating documents from various languages into English, giving her an opportunity to see many countries. Having traveled extensively in her twenties, she now spends her thirties quietly with six noisy dogs.
Shameless Promotion: Jenn was a RWA contest slut, having finaled in and won a bunch of them including the Marlene, the Merritt, and Indiana's Golden Opportunity. She is also a three-time finalist in the RWA Golden Heart contest before she became published. She would love to hear your comments about her books. She has been known to give away bookmarks and stuff to those who praise her.
AND, if your roof leaks, she can probably give you some advice!
Here are some wonderful writing friends of mine. I love their books!Please visit their sites and give them a try. Be careful. They are HOT WRITERS. Very addictive! Thanks--Jenn
Cherry Adair
Pamela Britton
Dianne Castell
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Patti O'Shea
Laurin Wittig
Joanna Wylde
Shameless Promotion: Jenn was a RWA contest slut, having finaled in and won a bunch of them including the Marlene, the Merritt, and Indiana's Golden Opportunity. She is also a three-time finalist in the RWA Golden Heart contest before she became published. She would love to hear your comments about her books. She has been known to give away bookmarks and stuff to those who praise her.
AND, if your roof leaks, she can probably give you some advice!
Here are some wonderful writing friends of mine. I love their books!Please visit their sites and give them a try. Be careful. They are HOT WRITERS. Very addictive! Thanks--Jenn
Cherry Adair
Pamela Britton
Dianne Castell
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Patti O'Shea
Laurin Wittig
Joanna Wylde
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 20, 2014
This was the debut novel by Gennita Low and I enjoyed it as much as the first time I read it years ago.
What I loved the most was the kickass heroine ..Marlena Maxwell, an infamous assassin is a cross between LARA CROFT
and VAMPIRE SLAYER
and DANGEROUS ASSASSIN
ALL IN ONE.
She has no need to be saved by Prince Charming. She does her own saving. She plays by her own rules. She has no time for love and romance in her life and is not averse to get closer to someone that attracts her…but it will not sidetrack her from her completing her mission.
But all that toughness hides a soft heart.
SEAL Steve McMillian has been assigned to protect Marlena and get information out of her. I really liked his character – strong, loyal and moral..and very sexy too.
Both have their own agendas. Despite unsure about whether to trust or not each other, they feel an incredible attraction for each other.
Together on a secret mission, Marlena finds herself feeling something for Steve and she’s not sure how much she can give of herself to him. Steve just knows that he has deep feelings for her……..
Great chemistry. Hot sexual tension. They are such engaging characters that you just want them to get together.
Really interesting secondary characters especially Marlena’s friend…(can’t wait for her story!!!)
Fast paced and riveting story with non-stop action, suspense, espionage, intrigue and hot romance.
A fabulous debut novel.
What I loved the most was the kickass heroine ..Marlena Maxwell, an infamous assassin is a cross between LARA CROFT
and VAMPIRE SLAYERand DANGEROUS ASSASSINALL IN ONE.She has no need to be saved by Prince Charming. She does her own saving. She plays by her own rules. She has no time for love and romance in her life and is not averse to get closer to someone that attracts her…but it will not sidetrack her from her completing her mission.
But all that toughness hides a soft heart.
SEAL Steve McMillian has been assigned to protect Marlena and get information out of her. I really liked his character – strong, loyal and moral..and very sexy too.
Both have their own agendas. Despite unsure about whether to trust or not each other, they feel an incredible attraction for each other.
Together on a secret mission, Marlena finds herself feeling something for Steve and she’s not sure how much she can give of herself to him. Steve just knows that he has deep feelings for her……..
Great chemistry. Hot sexual tension. They are such engaging characters that you just want them to get together.
Really interesting secondary characters especially Marlena’s friend…(can’t wait for her story!!!)
Fast paced and riveting story with non-stop action, suspense, espionage, intrigue and hot romance.
A fabulous debut novel.
January 19, 2025
Begin was heel langdradig, daarna werd het wel redelijk oké. Maar echt goed is het niet geworden en ga ik ook zeker niet de hele serie lezen en blijft het bij dit ene boek.
September 13, 2009
This was a fairly decent read by a new-to-me author, Gennita Low. I liked it enough that I will likely seek out a few others in the series, hopeful that the writing style will even improve. The heroine, Marlena, is one tough chickie, a mysterious agent/assassin. "Stash" (Steve), our Navy SEAL hero sent to keep an eye on her, is no slouch either. I felt like it was a bit too "immediate unexplained reaction to one another" for my taste, but they were both action-oriented characters with neither sitting on the sidelines. The action/intrigue is based on CIA-type cloak and dagger with a tad too much of the suspense/storyline being explained away in explanatory paragraphs rather than through the action.
I'll stand by my 3-star review in that it was able to hold my interest well enough and I did "like" it. I have higher hopes though for others by this author, beacause she does have a knack for peaking my interest in some of this book's secondary characters (uh, like maybe Hawk anyone???) Now, I'll warn you if you're new to my "reviews" (first one on here, though I've shared thoughts on books with my email pals), there don't seem to be many books that I give less than 3 stars to. I dont' know, I'm either relatively easy to please or I am able to find something enjoyable in most books that I read. ;)
I'll stand by my 3-star review in that it was able to hold my interest well enough and I did "like" it. I have higher hopes though for others by this author, beacause she does have a knack for peaking my interest in some of this book's secondary characters (uh, like maybe Hawk anyone???) Now, I'll warn you if you're new to my "reviews" (first one on here, though I've shared thoughts on books with my email pals), there don't seem to be many books that I give less than 3 stars to. I dont' know, I'm either relatively easy to please or I am able to find something enjoyable in most books that I read. ;)
September 22, 2010
Too much telling, not enough showing. Vague plot progression.
STORY BRIEF:
Steve is a former SEAL currently working for the CIA. Marlena is an assassin for hire who is under surveillance by the CIA. She just arrived in town and is waiting for a male assistant to work for her while she’s in town. The CIA kidnaps the assistant before she meets him and sends Steve in his place. The next day she has Steve accompany her on a clothes shopping spree, which is drudgery for him. That evening she has Steve escort her to a social event. They have several kissing sessions.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I read half the book, and I couldn’t go any further. It was too confusing and frustrating. Most of the scenes were verbal bantering and flirtation between Marlena and Steve. She lets him kiss her and then she pushes him away. Things were too vague. Events weren’t explained. Things were told and not shown. Two examples follow.
At a cocktail party, A is looking around and sees something suspicious. There is a gun shot. The next scene has B arriving and telling A that A was a hero. I have no idea what A did that made A a hero. There were no details about the shooting or what happened immediately after the shooting. I was shaking my head, saying what happened?
Another scene has C locked in a room. A little while later C is no longer in the room. I have no idea whether C escaped, or was let go, or why.
The author is creating conflicts in the minds of the two main characters and in their conversations, rather than conflicts shown through events and plot progression. Maybe others might find this method of writing interesting, but it didn’t work for me. I don’t know if some of my questions would be answered later in the book. I was too frustrated to keep reading to find out.
DATA:
Story length: 373 pages. Swearing and sexual language: probably moderate. Number of sex scenes: at least two. Setting: current day Washington D.C. Copyright: 2003. Genre: romantic suspense.
STORY BRIEF:
Steve is a former SEAL currently working for the CIA. Marlena is an assassin for hire who is under surveillance by the CIA. She just arrived in town and is waiting for a male assistant to work for her while she’s in town. The CIA kidnaps the assistant before she meets him and sends Steve in his place. The next day she has Steve accompany her on a clothes shopping spree, which is drudgery for him. That evening she has Steve escort her to a social event. They have several kissing sessions.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I read half the book, and I couldn’t go any further. It was too confusing and frustrating. Most of the scenes were verbal bantering and flirtation between Marlena and Steve. She lets him kiss her and then she pushes him away. Things were too vague. Events weren’t explained. Things were told and not shown. Two examples follow.
At a cocktail party, A is looking around and sees something suspicious. There is a gun shot. The next scene has B arriving and telling A that A was a hero. I have no idea what A did that made A a hero. There were no details about the shooting or what happened immediately after the shooting. I was shaking my head, saying what happened?
Another scene has C locked in a room. A little while later C is no longer in the room. I have no idea whether C escaped, or was let go, or why.
The author is creating conflicts in the minds of the two main characters and in their conversations, rather than conflicts shown through events and plot progression. Maybe others might find this method of writing interesting, but it didn’t work for me. I don’t know if some of my questions would be answered later in the book. I was too frustrated to keep reading to find out.
DATA:
Story length: 373 pages. Swearing and sexual language: probably moderate. Number of sex scenes: at least two. Setting: current day Washington D.C. Copyright: 2003. Genre: romantic suspense.
August 28, 2019
Ugh! The drudgery of getting through this book! It was like trying to climb a hill while stuck in molasses. I liked the hero Steve or Stash as he is called by the heroine Marlena. He seemed to want to do the right thing and follow through with his new command.
Marlena is a super secret assassin/spy. I’m not really sure who she worked for other than GEM. Not sure what that is as it was never explained! Which seemed like the theme of this book.
Then there was the GEM “friend/mentor” Tess. M and T (as they refer to each other) play mind games and use semantics throughout the entire book with one another and the other characters they come in contact with. It was exhausting to try and read between the lines of all their conversations.
Then there were so many secondary characters thrown in for more confusion. Like Cam - why don’t we get his full story? Why can he disassemble and reassemble a gun so well? I guess we’ll never know. What about Steve’s sick sister? And how he took on her medical debt? Why is she sick? They touch on the debt and it is used as a reason to set him up, but her name isn’t mentioned until the end of the book. What about du Scheum’s history with Marlene? It gets a quick few sentences, then nothing. She owes him so much, but we never get deep into the back story as to why. And Cucumber? What little I know about him means that I need more of this guy in my life!
Overall, I was not impressed. The book dragged, had a lot of information but none of it was explained well or with enough depth to help me figure out what was going on. I won’t be continuing with this series or the author.
Marlena is a super secret assassin/spy. I’m not really sure who she worked for other than GEM. Not sure what that is as it was never explained! Which seemed like the theme of this book.
Then there was the GEM “friend/mentor” Tess. M and T (as they refer to each other) play mind games and use semantics throughout the entire book with one another and the other characters they come in contact with. It was exhausting to try and read between the lines of all their conversations.
Then there were so many secondary characters thrown in for more confusion. Like Cam - why don’t we get his full story? Why can he disassemble and reassemble a gun so well? I guess we’ll never know. What about Steve’s sick sister? And how he took on her medical debt? Why is she sick? They touch on the debt and it is used as a reason to set him up, but her name isn’t mentioned until the end of the book. What about du Scheum’s history with Marlene? It gets a quick few sentences, then nothing. She owes him so much, but we never get deep into the back story as to why. And Cucumber? What little I know about him means that I need more of this guy in my life!
Overall, I was not impressed. The book dragged, had a lot of information but none of it was explained well or with enough depth to help me figure out what was going on. I won’t be continuing with this series or the author.
August 25, 2019
An excellent book! A unique love story between two very dangerous people!
I've never read Gennita Low, but Into Danger had a complex and compelling suspense plotline, superbly crafted protagonists and pantymelting romantic interludes!
Steve was so "hot" but a fish out of his comfort zone on assignment away from his Seal Team doing analysis instead of busting heads! Marlena is an agent for some murky, super secret agency ( which never gets any clearer throughout the book)! She is a fascinating character! Independent, competitive, in control, mercurial and very well trained! She's a suspected assassin and he is investigating her as a criminal! It just keeps getting better as these two fight to be in control, but both end up losing to the other! But Steve does save her life several times! Marlena is very droll about it all, but does realize she needs his sexiness to complete her mission! The dueling personalities are righteous and so much fun! A grand time was had by all!
I've never read Gennita Low, but Into Danger had a complex and compelling suspense plotline, superbly crafted protagonists and pantymelting romantic interludes!
Steve was so "hot" but a fish out of his comfort zone on assignment away from his Seal Team doing analysis instead of busting heads! Marlena is an agent for some murky, super secret agency ( which never gets any clearer throughout the book)! She is a fascinating character! Independent, competitive, in control, mercurial and very well trained! She's a suspected assassin and he is investigating her as a criminal! It just keeps getting better as these two fight to be in control, but both end up losing to the other! But Steve does save her life several times! Marlena is very droll about it all, but does realize she needs his sexiness to complete her mission! The dueling personalities are righteous and so much fun! A grand time was had by all!
September 19, 2018
Stash and Lena
This series opener is a great start to the SASS series. It features Steve McMillan, a SEAL from STAR (standing and ready) who's been assigned to the CIA's Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities unit. It's like oil and water. He has clashed with his CO there, a hard nosed, by the books desk jockey. But he's also been tasked with the role of "lackey" to Marlena Maxwell, rumored assassin. She's brokering the sale of very sensitive and potentially dangerous information, and Steve is there to gather the information needed to pull her in. But there's another game in play and a mole in TIARA, one that has his sights set on Marlena.
This series opener is a great start to the SASS series. It features Steve McMillan, a SEAL from STAR (standing and ready) who's been assigned to the CIA's Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities unit. It's like oil and water. He has clashed with his CO there, a hard nosed, by the books desk jockey. But he's also been tasked with the role of "lackey" to Marlena Maxwell, rumored assassin. She's brokering the sale of very sensitive and potentially dangerous information, and Steve is there to gather the information needed to pull her in. But there's another game in play and a mole in TIARA, one that has his sights set on Marlena.
August 22, 2019
Into Danger
WOW! What an intriguing story! The first few chapters seemed to go on forever but once you get into the story, the chapters seem to get shorter. Marlena and Steve are a very interesting couple. Marlena is usually a loner but when Steve entered her life, all her senses seemed to go haywire. Steve felt the same way but he fell much faster than Marlena did. In the end I was happy that she overcame her fear of commitment. It would have been nice to know what her real name was but I guess we don't get to know. Anyway, I am happy these two found their happily ever after. FANTASTIC job Gennita! I would recommend this book.
WOW! What an intriguing story! The first few chapters seemed to go on forever but once you get into the story, the chapters seem to get shorter. Marlena and Steve are a very interesting couple. Marlena is usually a loner but when Steve entered her life, all her senses seemed to go haywire. Steve felt the same way but he fell much faster than Marlena did. In the end I was happy that she overcame her fear of commitment. It would have been nice to know what her real name was but I guess we don't get to know. Anyway, I am happy these two found their happily ever after. FANTASTIC job Gennita! I would recommend this book.
December 14, 2019
M and Stash
Keeping up with who's who or what they are in this story probably requires a Venn diagram. M (Marlena) is a world class assassin and Stash (Steve) is a SEAL tasked with finding out her target. Both are actually looking for someone and something else. Along the way they'll have to decide if they can trust and love each other. It's a bit annoying that M is portrayed as the one with commitment issues. Stash does too and his alpha ways don't excuse that he's as bad at communicating his feelings as M. Fortunately between the action and the machinations of T (Tess) it doesn't get too tedious.
Keeping up with who's who or what they are in this story probably requires a Venn diagram. M (Marlena) is a world class assassin and Stash (Steve) is a SEAL tasked with finding out her target. Both are actually looking for someone and something else. Along the way they'll have to decide if they can trust and love each other. It's a bit annoying that M is portrayed as the one with commitment issues. Stash does too and his alpha ways don't excuse that he's as bad at communicating his feelings as M. Fortunately between the action and the machinations of T (Tess) it doesn't get too tedious.
October 29, 2019
Interesting
Enjoyable read with an interesting storyline full of intrigue, suspense and a nice dash of romance. The characters are vivid and I loved the detail to action, clothing and world building.
At times I felt the pacing was off or that the story had been resolved, but it had not. This threw me off for a bit but then I was reimmersed in the story and I enjoyed how it played out.
Enjoyable read with an interesting storyline full of intrigue, suspense and a nice dash of romance. The characters are vivid and I loved the detail to action, clothing and world building.
At times I felt the pacing was off or that the story had been resolved, but it had not. This threw me off for a bit but then I was reimmersed in the story and I enjoyed how it played out.
July 14, 2019
Dangerous Liaisons
Thank you for this titillating story about Stash and Marlena and the intriguing operations in which they become involved. The storyline was exciting and so we're the different characters.
Thank you for this titillating story about Stash and Marlena and the intriguing operations in which they become involved. The storyline was exciting and so we're the different characters.
November 27, 2018
Voor de liefhebbers van de erotische thriller
March 1, 2019
Wow!
There is nothing to dislike about this story! It’s all guns, love and sex, and impossible to put down, once started!
There is nothing to dislike about this story! It’s all guns, love and sex, and impossible to put down, once started!
April 15, 2019
TRASH
Did not like this book at all. Didn't get far before I simply hit the trash it button. Don't waste your time.
Did not like this book at all. Didn't get far before I simply hit the trash it button. Don't waste your time.
July 5, 2019
Love the GEM's
M and Stash, gotta love 'em. Marlene is so tough and secretive. Stash just keeps going at her. LOL is for T's story.
M and Stash, gotta love 'em. Marlene is so tough and secretive. Stash just keeps going at her. LOL is for T's story.
August 17, 2019
Assassins soulmate
I enjoyed this book. It showed different departments and who does what within these programs along with romance. Looking for book two.
I enjoyed this book. It showed different departments and who does what within these programs along with romance. Looking for book two.
books-boxed-sets
April 22, 2020In boxed set - "Dangerous Passions: 12 Tales of Contemporary Sexy Hot Alpha Heroes"
September 11, 2020
A must read!!
A sizzling romance between two operatives from different branches. Fast moving suspense - trying to figure who was the bad agent.
A sizzling romance between two operatives from different branches. Fast moving suspense - trying to figure who was the bad agent.
February 8, 2015
Gennita Low takes us into the heart-racing land of corporate espionage and government spy agencies with her romantic suspense, Into Danger. Steve McMillan's character, as a Navy Seal sent undercover, is written to "Alpha" perfection. But it is the character of Marlena Maxwell, the "world's most glamorous assassin", where Gennita's skills as a storyteller shine. Marlena is a highly intelligent and strong female character, that happens to be both combatant and competen. As more of her character is revealed, it is clear that she is also a perfect partner and love interest for Steve.
Into Danger is fast-paced with the two main characters fighting for dominance as they both try and expose a thief and a murderer; their attraction to each other is off the charts. I won't give spoilers but let me just say I learned a new use for a strand of pearls - MERCY!
The secondary characters have been written with such clarity and care that the readers want to know more about each one, especially the back story of Tess and Alex.
Dayreader Reviews gives this high-octane thrill ride an astounding 5 stars!!!!
Into Danger is fast-paced with the two main characters fighting for dominance as they both try and expose a thief and a murderer; their attraction to each other is off the charts. I won't give spoilers but let me just say I learned a new use for a strand of pearls - MERCY!
The secondary characters have been written with such clarity and care that the readers want to know more about each one, especially the back story of Tess and Alex.
Dayreader Reviews gives this high-octane thrill ride an astounding 5 stars!!!!
May 24, 2013
Excellent. Strong characters, both men and women. Enough misdirection to keep you guessing. What I particularly appreciated about this book was that despite there being the whole angle of espionage and spy/SEAL tactics, I never felt too overwhelmed by the details, but there were enough to keep it interesting. The other great thing about the book is that both the male and female lead were strong and capable. So often the one (usually the female) gets neglected or turned into a doormat. While there was an aspect of "man must rescue woman" at no point during said situation was the woman anything close to a damsel in distress. Marlena was every bit as much in control of the situation as Steve and so when they worked together to get themselves out of stickiness, it was very emotionally satisfying.
July 6, 2008
Marlena is my type of heroine - competent, sexy, confident and not prone to TSTL moments. Like an Angelina Jolie-type operative. Steve fared less well with me as I felt he wasn't a strong enough hero to match Marlena yet I suppose anyone more alpha, cool and detached (like Jed) would have been a disaster in the making.
I loved how Marlena met Hawk and I would have given this book 5 stars if not for Steve.
I loved how Marlena met Hawk and I would have given this book 5 stars if not for Steve.
July 28, 2009
I could not get into this book. Parts of it were good, but other parts just seemed to drag on for me. My eyes literally started to glass over and I found myself skipping through pages (especially at the end - I just wanted to be done with it). The characters were okay and their romance was good, but the story line in general was just flat out boring. I really hope the next book in the series is better (I already have it checked out from the library).
December 11, 2012
This book is fun but read a little slow. I reached the halfway point and felt like I was done reading. The interaction between characters is written very well -- in fact, it's the best part of this book -- but the story, itself, didn't grip me. I kept thinking, "okay, this is good, but I'd like to move on to the next book in the series now." However, the ending scene with all the SEALs kicking butt is pretty cool, ended things on a nice high note.
September 16, 2012
A new romantic suspense to feed my Navy SEALS fetish. The first in this series S.A.S.S. features Steve McMillan. Steve is a delicious alpha male, as we would expect the Navy SEALS. This was an enjoyable and fast paced book. Recommended for those who enjoy intrigue, romance and good sexual tension.
July 3, 2014
Too much romance and not enough action. This was the first book in a series with a Navy SEAL. I picked it up because I saw the word SEAL. While the male character was likable, I felt he was a little over the top as well as the female in the book. Too many acronyms to keep track of and initials instead of names makes my reading harder to comprehend who we are talking about.
January 6, 2011
Excellent! At first the book seemed a little slow. However, that gave a nice foundation for the story, so that when the action really picked up, it felt like I really knew the characters. Very enjoyable read.
March 15, 2013
So....maybe the pain meds and antibiotic have messed with my brain because I didn't know what Marlena's Mission was until 3/4 if the way through the book, and even then I was sorta like so.....you have it. The end? It was good but the plot was a little awkward.
August 23, 2015
Great romantic suspense!
I loved this book! You have a tough, take charge woman clashing with a dominant man. You know things are going to be interesting! The intrigue and espionage were fantastic and I loved how Steve fell for his mermaid and wouldn't give up!
I loved this book! You have a tough, take charge woman clashing with a dominant man. You know things are going to be interesting! The intrigue and espionage were fantastic and I loved how Steve fell for his mermaid and wouldn't give up!
May 8, 2014
Skipped half of this book as the love parts were to intense for my taste. The rest of the story was okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews