Enemy Within (The Executive Office #3) by Tal Bauer

Enemy Within (The Executive Office #3)  by Tal Bauer 

SUMMARY

The White House, infiltrated.
The president, running for his life.
A traitorous general, intent on burning the world to the ground.

When everything falls apart, who do you trust?

President Jack Spiers fled Washington DC on the heels of a devastating attack on CIA headquarters, masterminded by one of America’s own, former General Porter Madigan. While the world believes Jack was killed in the bombing, he embarks on a wild infiltration mission, smuggling himself into occupied Russia to rescue the love of his life: former Secret Service Agent and First Gentleman Ethan Reichenbach.

Reunited, Jack, Ethan, and deposed Russian president Sergey Puchkov, along with President Elizabeth Wall—the only person left in Washington DC who Jack trusts—must work together. They piece together a desperate plan, hunting Madigan to the ends of the earth and the bitter frigidity of the Arctic, where Madigan’s world-shattering doomsday plan comes together.

Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Jack, Ethan, Sergey, and the rest of the team struggle to put a stop to Madigan and his army. In the desolate extremes of the Arctic, their resolve, their strength, and even their love is tested, pushed to the absolute limits as choices must be made: choices that pit the fate of the world against the love in their hearts, and the loves of their life.

As the world crumbles around them, Jack and Ethan find themselves waging a war on two fronts—against an enemy they can see, and another, hiding within their ranks.

Who can be trusted when the enemy is within you?

MY REVIEW

The end of the book finds me:
a) With a huge headache because I might have pushed myself too hard to finish the book….because I really wanted to know what happens next and some of the terminology was a bit too hard to follow and I had to reread certain sections. I am only a poor Greek woman with English as her second language after all.
b) Without fingernails. I may actually need 2-3 weeks before I attempt manicure again. But it was the only way to let off steam. My nonstop swearing as well as my constant shouting such as “Die bitch, die!”etc. did not help much.
c) With a huge smile on my face which makes me look like a lunatic and has almost made my husband ready to forbid me to read any more books. Ever. Unless I wanted divorce. (Ok, I convinced him that I will be normal again soon)

And yes, I remembered to feed my too-young-to-feed-themselves children. I am not that cruel…

“Let’s not do that again.”
(I am joking…Of course I want more!)

This is book 3 and obviously not a standalone. So, let’s see where we were in the previous book:
Ethan though that the love of his life abandon him, so he left for a suicide mission that only a few people knew about it. Jack realized his mistake when he was almost assassinated and ran after Ethan but it was really hard to find him.
At the same time, world is falling apart. Twisted Former General Porter Madigan, his best friend Former Captain Ryan Cook, their army and their supporters are preparing its end at Artict.

And this is why the following people have ended up lost in Siberia, trying to stop Madigan:
1. A disappeared First Gentleman
2. The ghost of the USA president
3. A Russian president on the run
4. A declared dead Russian hero
5. A team of marines with a South Arab Prince in the team

Well, yes the book is complicated and full of nonstop action. In comparison with the previous two books, this is the book with the most action and battles. It will take your breath away.
It has just a few, a handful really, of breathing moments and then the action resumes with bigger surprises.

There will be no glamour in this book, no balls, no official visits, no gala dinners, no crystal glasses and no china dishes. There will be blood, grenades and bombs, bombs everywhere. There will be lots of ice and snow and salty water.

“What would the American people say if they saw you now?”
“They’d ask me why you’re still breathing.”

It is time for:
-heroes to surface
-a few traitors to be exposed

And all of these sprinkled with:
-lies, secrets and pain
-Claustrophobic situations in a submarine
-A few misunderstandings
-A lot of useless flowers and
- Many well disserved tears because yes true men can really cry without shame

But you will also read about:
- A few declarations of love
-Some funny moments
-A few proposals
-A few weddings
-Lots of stars, because “A river of stars stretched overhead, and the black ocean reflected their glimmer, an endless wash of sparkling perfection.”

The love between Ethan and Jack will be stronger than ever (although romance is not the main focus of the book, I have to admit). There will be hearts and kisses, stares and touches, hugs, entwined fingers and tangled bodies. Perfection! :)

And this is where I am finishing this rambling review…. You need to discover the rest of the details yourself!