Breaking the Honor Code

Northstar Security Series, Book 4

By: Stanalei Fletcher

Narrated by: Charles Henderson Norman

Reformed playboy Sloan Cartland doesn’t work that hard to live down his reputation, especially when it gives him an advantage as Northstar’s profiler. But when the company’s network is hacked, he puts on his game face and joins forces with the firm’s cyber queen Allison Richards to track down the cyberterrorist.

Sparks fly between the total opposites as Sloan moves past Allison’s geeky persona. The passion is unexpected but pleasurable, until Sloan receives evidence that implicates Allison as the hacker, compelling him to question her loyalty and his feelings.

Allison must choose between her heart and honor and find a way to use her formidable skills to turn the tables on her enemies before Sloan decides she’s a traitor.

©2017 Stanalei Fletcher (P)2018 Stanalei Fletcher

A Great Story!

This is yet another great story in the Northstar Security Series. My attention was grabbed from the very first words to the last ones! I've really enjoyed this series and each book can be listened to on their own but they flow well together from book one to this one, book four. The narration was great as well. I think Charles Henderson Norman did an excellent job with all the voices and his pace, as usual, was spot on. Overall, a great series well worth your time!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

ENJOYED IT!

I really enjoyed this book. The author incorporated lots of action, romance and suspense in this story. The narration was great and kept you entertained. This author did a great job with her characters and plot. Well done! This was my first book by this author but definitely will not be my last. Although this was the 4th book, you don't need to read the previous ones (can be read as a standalone). I like it so much that I will be looking into reading her others! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Who has betrayed North Star Security?

Someone is leaking case information from North Star Security’s files. Is it an inside job or has someone hacked into their computer system? Agent Sloan is tasked with heading to Iowa to locate a vacationing Allison...head of the computer dept. Allison isn’t just vacationing, she’s caring for her 8 yo nephew while her sister & husband are on a cruise. When Sloan arrives, just as a storm hits, she has no choice but to have him stay with her. The snowed in pair get the opportunity to finally explore the fire that has been growing between them over the past months. Too bad that Sloan learns that Allison is the traitor. Can Allison really betray North Star, the company that hired her after her career as an LAPD officer was cut short? How will Sloan handle this information? Is Allison in danger? This book was, by far, my favorite in the series. The h was a strong female, without the constant belligerence of past ones. Great ending...awesome narration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Honor Code Review...

I really wished I could give this a higher rating since the plot was decent, but the narration was not appealing to me. While the primary male character (Sloan) and the ‘narrator’ were okay, I just couldn’t get past the voiceover for the lead female character, young boy and geeky IT guy. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

GREAT FAST-PACED THRILLER!

This is the first in the series I've listened to, and I'm impressed! Love the premise, Northstar, and how each book features new leads but some of the same characters from other books - I'm definitely going to listen to others! Thought the story was really exciting and fast-paced, and it was mixed nicely with romance for a very entertaining story. I really liked the narration, I think Charles Norman did a great job. I'd definitely recommend this book and I'm on to another Northstar tale! :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

loved it

Just the absolute best story. Everything I like to listen about and more. Such a great story I will listen again and again. A keeper!!

Another good one in the series

I got this book via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. This is book four I got the chance to listen to books 1 and 2 but missed book 3. This story continued the NorthStar story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The quiet computer geek and the rich strong operative have a story to tell. Once the geek gets back into her home territory she is not so quiet. They both dance around each other in the first books. They feel the attraction but don't act on it for their own reasons. Once they are caught in a snowstorm and she is caught in the crosshairs of a madman. The chemistry heats up and so does the story. I loved the humor that is sprinkled throughout the story and the many plot twists that lead to the HEA. The narrator was spot on and made the emotions come out. Loved the voice of the villain. When it first came into play I could see his face and the evil in his eyes just from the way the narrator portrayed the lines spoken. Both the H and h were scarred by a past but in the end made a great team and healed each other. Can't wait for the next one.

Another great installment

I enjoy Stanalei Fletcher’s books and have avidly snagged each book in the Northstar Security series. That being said, there are times when I feel Ms. Fletcher takes a leap toward creating characters who are equal in the romantic relationship, but then pulls back just before that goal is achieved. Allison is a great character. A former police officer, a computer analyst, and avid gamer, she breaks many stereotypes. But then she withdraws back into her insecurities and shies away from being assertive. Often, when interacting with the ‘reformed playboy’ Sloan, she comes off as churlish and rude. I had a difficult time discerning whether she was snappish as a character or if it was the narrator. Certainly, many lines leant themselves to sarcasm.

Also, Allison is nicknamed the ‘Cyborg Queen’ by her coworkers because she holds them at arm’s length. And that moniker comes from the people who like her. One man who doesn’t, calls her ‘Nerd Diva’. Part of me railed against the stereotype that all women programmers are socially awkward and standoffish, uncomfortable in social situations.

Now, some of that was laid aside when Allison engaged with her adorable nephew. Their interactions spoke of a familiarity and comfort. Mitchell is intelligent, precocious, keen, and eager to learn new things. I loved that he embraces the notion of Bushido – honor. That theme carries through the book as Sloan is forced to face the fact Allison might be the hacker who is putting Northstar in danger. Allison is forced to defend herself, and even Mitchell is called upon to step up.

I am enjoying the series and the narrator, Charles Henderson Norman does a good job, but his voice is more suited to the men in the series. His female voices are a little off and it is occasionally hard to listen to him as Mitchell. After four books, though, I am used to Mr. Norman’s performance and it would not keep me from purchasing another book nor did it hinder my enjoyment.

This was another good book and I hope the final book of the series will be out on audio soon. I will be sorry when the series ends.

Honor

Bushido, the Japanese word for honor sums up this story perfectly. Sloan is sent to bring back Allison to Northstar Security. Someone is hacking their computer system, and she is the one who can figure out who it is. They are both surprised by their mutual attraction. When Allison becomes the lead suspect, Sloan needs to bring Allison back, but will his loyalty lie with Northstar or with Allison? Allison is a strong woman, can stand on her own but now when she needs help. There are a few twists and turns in this that are completely unexpected. The romance is beautifully intertwined, and I love the interaction that Sloan has with Allison's nephew. It reflects what great character he has. The technical aspects of the book are interesting, I love the puzzle solving, following the ip addresses and finding the footprints! It's fascinating to listen. Although book 4 in the series, it can definitely be listened to as a standalone.

Charles Norman is the voice of Northstar Security and he continues to give a wonderful performance. He is perfect with these men who enforce security, having that sound of command and honor.

Excellent series!

Loved listening to this! Great characters and story with tons of action and a touch of romance. Loved the use of Samurai culture and code in this story. Fantastic narrator as well, pleasant voice to listen to and he really brought the story and characters to life. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.