Cindy Dees, The Medusa Project

The Medusa Project

Cindy Dees

Silhouette Bombshell, Feb 2005, $4.50

ISBN: 0373513453

Though she has risen to the rank of major in the Air Force, Vanessa Blake still dreams of becoming a Navy SEAL. She feels she is more than qualified to perform the missions once she receives her training, but no female has ever been selected as a SEAL, at least until now. To her euphoria, Vanessa and an elite selected team of women have been chosen to be guinea pigs by forming a cell of female Seals, the Medusas.

SEAL Lieutenant Colonel Jack Scatalone is skeptical about these women meeting the physical and mental demands. However, watching them work, Jack changes his mind as he becomes their biggest supporter. In particular, he is attracted to Vanessa, but knows that does not interfere in his change of mind, only a change of heart that he has found his mate. On a mission to rescue his team trapped in the Middle East, Jack is caught too. This time the brass sends the Medusas led by Vanessa to rescue the male SEALs.

THE MEDUSA PROJECT is a terrific, military, gender-bending thriller with the women making up the cavalry coming to the rescue of the besieged men. The storyline is 98% testosterone (including the Medusas) and 2% romance mostly because the exploits are non-stop without time or location for much on the sheets. Thus the relationship between the two likable, heroic protagonists is realistic rather than the usual life-threatening scenario with time for a quick nip and tuck. Fans of thrillers starring SEALs will enjoy the action-packed THE MEDUSA PROJECT.

Harriet Klausner