Core of Steel

Steel Corps, Book 1

De: J. B. Havens

Narrado por: Addison Barnes

Staff Sergeant Bea “Mic” Michaels is the leader of Steel Corps, an elite group of the finest men in the American armed forces. Commissioned by the US government to do what other units cannot, existing both above and outside the law.

A new recruit, Corporal Chris Jordon, has just been delivered, but before he can call himself Steel, he must pass every physical and mental test Mic throws at him. Orders for a mission have come down, and Mic must train Jordon faster than ever.

Their team is thrown into a desperate mission to rescue an undercover operative in the heart of Colombia. Forced to take down the head of the Fernando cartel and the mysterious Frenchie, their mission is complicated when Mic and Jordon are lost to their team.

Digging deep within herself, Mic will need every ounce of her strength to save both her team and herself.

©2015 J.B. Havens (P)2019 Muddy Boots Press

Great listen

I was impressed with how good this audio was. The main character was a bulldog and Addison brought the whole world to life. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series. I was given a free copy of this audio in return for an unbiased review.

so freaky and the well described

such a freaky and well told story. it wasn't an easy story to listen to.... it was very very vivid and very emotional and full of action.
I enjoyed the story it wasn't a usual susense but it was a very good one it was bit harsh but it was good.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

EXCELLENT READ!

I really enjoyed it. This story is full of action, suspense and is extremely detailed. The narration was great and kept me entertained. The author did a great job with the character builds and plot. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more books in this series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

this book was given to me at my request for review

loved this book couldn't stop listening until the end. felt like I was in the story from the beginning.

Tenacious Characters

Core of Steel by J.B. Havens is a great thriller. I enjoy trying new authors and narrators, and have lately been listening to mystery and thriller books. I was really impressed by the writing style. The action was non-stop and the imagery is vivid. Mic is a tenacious character and has lots of depth in her small stature. The book has some unexpected twists. Addison Barnes did a great job bringing the characters to life. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

Female Lead Sets Military Action Yarn Above Others

“Core of Steel: Steel Corps Book One”
Author: J.B. Havens
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 2, 2015)

Narrator: Addison Barnes
Audible.com Release: February 11, 2019
Length: 8 hours and 40 minutes (Unabridged)

This is the first in a four-book series regarding the military adventures of Staff Sergeant Michaels and “Steel Corps”; a specialized covert operations team tasked with missions that require her team to exercise outside of the national and international legal system and treaties. In this inaugural title, we learn a lot about “Mic” and her team members; how they operate; a brief history of the Steel Core; and the internal relationships necessary to ensure the team operates at peak capacity. The team is quickly forced into a situation regarding the extraction of a highly prized “mole” working deep within a drug cartel. This mission turns out to be difficult testing the oaths that bind each other, as well as, their veracity in service to their country.

The narrator, Addison Barnes, is a great reader and narrator capable of creating tension during the action, as well as, adding varied and nuanced emotions when the characters, especially the protagonist, is angry, annoyed, excited, bantering, etc. Barnes is the perfect reader for this series and hoping she will finish out the series. (NOTE: I am currently listening to Steel Book Two read by Barnes and continues to shine!)

Personally, I enjoy these military action stories and Havens is good writer creating believable scenarios, as well as, offering insight regarding “Mic” and the various team members. However, this is not a military simulation book therefore expect less Tom Clancy and more the “Hollywood” military. I also find the characters approachable and realistic and Havens creates a strong female warrior.

I recommend this audible book to anyone who enjoys military action but looking for something different due to the strong and well thought out female lead protagonist.

Note: I was provided a free audiobook copy at my request and voluntarily left this review.

FUBAR!

Not your average elite Black Ops Special Forces team thriller. Not by a long shot. From beginning to end I could not wrap my head around this scat-talking, bodacious, female Staff Sergeant allegedly in charge of an elite special forces team. It never did come across right. Was this a serious opening volume to a new series, or a not so funny parody? We are led to believe this is an elite special forces team; how so? They botched their only mission; failed to make the raid appear as a coup, changed into and out of costume for no particular reason, one of the team is having a breakdown due to his part in killing a female cartel member, they abandoned wounded team members, and then left behind a backpack containing top-secret mission intel. Elite…they are all of that and none of that! The rambunctious SSGT couldn’t keep her eyes off the new guy and couldn’t keep her head in the game. The new guy didn’t fare much better. There was potential in the premise, but research was way off target. This story is fubar. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.