Review: In the Blood by Hailey Turner

Title: In the Blood (Metahuman Files: Book Four)

Author: Hailey Turner

Publisher: Self-Published/Kindle Unlimited

Length: 373 Pages

Category: Sci-Fi

At a Glance: Another amazing book by an author who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I look forward to the next book in this awesome series.

Reviewed By: Taz

Blurb: Running out of time.

Captain Jamie Callahan is frustrated with his team constantly being at the mercy of the enemy in order to further the MDF’s goals. To make matters worse, his father’s political campaign is ramping up and Jamie’s every move is being watched by the media. He is acutely aware of all the eyes trained on him, his team, and Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan in particular. Meanwhile, Kyle would give anything to stay in the shadows, but he refuses to leave Jamie’s side, no matter the scrutiny. Staying out of the spotlight becomes impossible when their families are threatened and vital choices about their future together can no longer be ignored.

Desperate measures.

Staff Sergeant Alexei Dvorkin and Agent Sean Delaney are enjoying their time together as a couple when Sean’s past catches up with him. As Alpha Team’s long-running mission gets derailed in the worst way possible, Alexei discovers the enemy is playing for keeps, and neither he nor Sean are in any position to beat the odds and win the game. As for Sean, he’s worried that even if they make it out alive, Alexei may never forgive him for giving into the enemy’s demands.

Stand your ground.

Manipulation is the name of the game, but Jamie is done playing by everybody else’s rules. So is the rest of Alpha Team, because if there’s one thing Jamie’s team knows? It’s that they’re a family—and you don’t mess with family unless you want to get hurt.

Review: In the Blood by Hailey Turner is the fourth installment in her Metahuman Files series. True to form, her style is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with steamy man-on-man sex. Unlike her first three books, which primarily focused on one couple, this book broadened its scope, not only following both sets of protagonists but delving more deeply into the personal lives of other characters as well.

The story starts off with tight action sequences which do not let up for the duration of the novel. In this story, Jamie and Kyle face the challenges of navigating their relationship while kowtowing to the demands of the political campaign of Jamie’s father. At the same time, Alexei and Sean are finally established and happy, only to have their very lives threatened over and over again. In both cases, Ms. Turner has infused more emotion into the struggles faced by all her protagonists…an added element which I particularly enjoyed. While difficult to watch the characters wrestle with emotionally charged feelings, the way their stories conclude by the end of the book literally had tears escaping from the corners of my eyes.

In keeping with the first three books, the author’s use of language remains exquisite. She has a purposeful way of using words, and unique turns of phrase that draw the reader in, giving a sense of immediacy, as if we’re right there with the characters.

And then there’s the sex, which Ms. Turner is very talented at describing in heated and evocative detail. Honestly, I’ve boasted about her talents in this area for three reviews now, and it bears repeating. The scenes are extended, every touch, feel, and taste drawn out so the reader can truly enjoy the love expressed through raw eroticism.

Finally, and this was something slightly different from her first three books, and an element which heightened my enjoyment even more, Ms. Turner pulled no punches when it came to the violence of the military sequences. I don’t want to ruin anything by giving examples, but the villains are so hateful and sadistic in this book that the way she brings them to their demise is remarkably gratifying. To that end, people who find graphic violence off-putting should read with caution. But read the book anyways, just skip over some of the more gory scenes. There aren’t too many, but the ones that are there are truly visceral.

Overall, another amazing book by an author who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I look forward to the next book in this awesome series.