Valkyrie Reviews
Harriet Klausner
Painted Rock Writer's ColonyIn 2003, Laotian and Cambodian armed forces threaten the stable government of Thailand. An international peace keeping team is sent to the area to prevent the invaders from conquering Thailand. The United States is part of the group, which includes the Women's Liberation Force (WLF) led by Major Louise Lane, who uses Gestapo type methods to run her company. Louise and her loyal followers plan to prove that women can succeed as a combat force.
Corporal Cathy Freemont is part of WLF, but the CO considers her a thorn in her side as she puts the safety of her unit ahead of the number of the enemy killed. Lane's enemies need a witness to bring the woman down and they target Cathy as their best choice because she knows how dirty the WLF plays. Marine Captain Jim Boland is coerced into getting close with Cathy in order to cajole her onto their side. Reluctantly, he agrees, but he quickly falls hard for the corporal who reciprocates his feelings.
Eileen Nauman (aka Lindsay McKenna) has written an exciting, complex romantic military thriller that includes several enhancing subplots and secondary characters. The shenanigans that occur in the armed forces and the strange relationship between the military and the Congress will shock readers. VALKYRIE is a powerful tale that displays how talented Ms. McKenna truly is.
Pamela Cohen
Romantic Times Magazine
4+ Gold, RT "Top Pick" for December, 2000.All Corporal Cathy "Cat" Fremont wants is to finish her tour of duty and go home, but first she must survive her commanding officer, Major Lane--a women so bent on proving females belong in combat she is willing to sacrifice anyone who stands in her way.
When Lane's harmful command practices become known, Captain Jim Boland is sent in to neutralize her. By gaining Cat's confidence he hopes to persuade her to help him, but once he meets the green-eyed soldier they call the VALKYRIE he wants more than her trust, he wants her. Cat too feels an instant attraction for Jim and midst the backdrop of battle their love slowly
blossoms. But before they can plan a future Cat gets caught in Lane's maelstrom of lies and murder and the lovers race to stay one step ahead of a fiery conclusion.Lindsay McKenna (aka Eileen Nauman) explodes on the e-pub scene with an edge-of-the-seat romantic suspense. Richly drawn characters, attention grabbing detail and tender sensuality empower this taut and powerful story. Readers will be enthralled from first page to last.
Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret.)
Controversial Book of the Quarter
Military Women Veterans
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/This dynamic book about military women in combat really "torqued my jaw" as we used to say eons ago. One of the premises and two or three of the characters sent me on a rant that lasted for days. But it would be most unfair not to recommend a book simply because a few things annoyed me - many of which I won't say - because they are central to the plot -which by the way is wonderfully well done and carries you right along.
"Valkyrie" is a mainstream women's book that mixes action, adventure, politics, and a love story - which I found mildly boring (probably because I'm too old) but it doesn't encumber the strong points of the story. "Valkyrie" literally sets up a ground combat trial for women, along with other U.S. Forces, into an erupting Southeast Asia border crisis. The all-woman task force tests political odds and physical danger in jungle style ground combat.
Set in 2003 the story creates Laotian and Cambodian armed forces threatening the stable government of Thailand. The U.S. military is part of the group sent to the area to prevent the invasion and it includes a unit comprised of women called the Women's Liberation Force (WLF). This unique group of women is led by a Major Louise Lane, who uses questionable methods to run her company in order to prove that women can succeed as a combat force.
The heroine of the story is a Corporal Cathy Freemont, part of WLF, sometimes a thorn in her C.O.'s side as she puts the safety of her women ahead of the number of the enemy killed. Major Lane's character is one of the reasons my rants began - but again it's a great story, fast-moving, full of action, subterfuge, mystery, and political undercurrents.
So with clenched teeth I highly recommend "Valkyrie" because any work of fiction that gets that much of a reaction from me has to be an outstanding work - whether I agree or not. For a small clue as to my reasons for getting annoyed - remember - I'm a retired officer who spent ten years as an enlisted woman and ten as a woman officer - read the book and you'll understand! But then again maybe you won't - so give it a try and let me - or the author - know how you reacted.
Reader Response
"I've been reading Lindsay McKenna since 1985, when a friend of mine gave me a copy of Captive of Fate. I've loved every novel that has come since from her, as have so many of her legion of fans. But if you think you've seen all that Ms. McKenna has to offer, then you have another think coming. That means you haven't read Valkyrie yet. With Valkyrie, we meet Ms. McKenna at her unbridled best. In the new e-book/print on demand format, she leaps all previous barriers and gives us a novel that is complex, gritty, earthy, and strong, yet touched with the starlight of love and passion. There are no easy paths in this novel, no actions that do not have consequences, no choices made that do not affect everyone involved. This makes this novel the most true to life, gripping, can't-put-it-down book that Ms. McKenna has written yet in her long career. Both the primary and secondary characters are completely fleshed out, their emotions real and honest (and not always tidy). The weight of their choices, their loves, and their battle for truth reach deep into a reader's heart. I loved the main hero and heroine, Cat Fremont and Jim Boland. Their story moved me deeply. In this longer format, Ms. McKenna builds a rich, deep love story within a story of war, suffering and loss that made me believe in their love, and made it all the sweeter when they overcame their obstacles. If you've loved Morgan's Mercenaries and her military romances, then you must read Valkyrie. It's a book that you will remember and reflect on, long after you've finished reading it. FIVE STARS."- JoAnn K. Prater
"Just finished Valkyrie. A good read. It nicely meshes events for the reader who wants some combat action, love scenes (which you handled with class), romance, and the political intrigue of both the military and the politicians. I'm usually an audio book kind of guy and this book would seem to fit that mold also. Success." - Rick Blythe, Bookstore Owner
"Hi, I met you at the RT convention in Texas. I got an autographed copy of Valkyrie from you. I just finished reading it. What can I say , it was another hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I have always been fascinated by the military. I like the way you stayed in the military setting through the entire book. I would have liked to have seen more intimacy between Cat and Jim when they went on R and R. Otherwise I have no other comments. You wrote excellently as usual. I am looking forward to your next book." Dawn Strock