Taylor *Trace* Reeves has served in various branches of the military, and in multiple human wars over his life time which spans millennia. Once the faithful hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Trace continues to protect the innocent and fight the wars of man. He will continue to keep his presence a secret from humans, even the ones he calls brothers.
Over time, the return of Fionn and The Fianna has faded out of the memories of man and into their myths and legends. Yet Trace and his wolf, Bran, still wait for the sound of the Dord Fiann, the hunting horn of the Fianna, to sound three times.
When the call comes, The Fianna will arise and Trace and Bran will once more be the hound of The High King. Until then, his mission is to keep the men he guards alive, by any means necessary.
Annabella Stone and Bella Stone are the alter egos of a wife and mom, who was lucky enough to find happy ever after with her own personal hero.
Annabella loves to write Military Romance and Romantic Suspense where warriors love harder when bullets fly. She believes in love at first sight and wants everyone to have the happy ever they deserve. Even if they have to dodge bullets and fight with everything that they are to get it.
Born and raised in Ireland, Annabella has a Grá for a good story and the breakfast blaa, but funnily enough, prefers Jack Daniels to Irish whiskey. Having lived across 7 countries and 3 continents over the last thirty years, she loves to explore new places and cultures. In her world, coffee is king, and she is 100% sure it deserves it's own food group.
Annabella is owned by a pack of malamutes, whom she loves to both work and show. If you can't find her at the computer writing, chances are she and her woofers have escaped to enjoy at day at a dog show, or they are on a mountain trail with the dryland rig or the sled, depending on the time of year.
Annabella's motto is "Live life like a malamute who found the gate open, but take the time to enjoy the sights while you're running."
This book took me awhile to get into. I'm not used to the animal side of the shifter having a different name then the human side and anytime Bran was mentioned I kept thinking he was a separate character. However once I got used to it, I flew through this book and ended up really enjoying it and Bran ended up being my favorite ironically. I'm not sure I'll pick up book two when it releases but I'm glad I picked up this one.
I just recently finished my first LGBTQIA military suspense romance book from Annabella Stone when I noticed she had taken her love and passion for military service relationships and turned it towards a PNR series. Operation Magma is the first in her new paranormal black ops special forces series. I really enjoyed it, especially as Stone approaches the shifter character element from a very different and interesting perspective.
Taylor *Trace* Reeves is an ancient warrior who fought for the honor of being the one left behind to guard the gate after the King of the Fianna and all the others left for Tyr Na Og. He is the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, both man and fearsome wolf, two distinct beings in one.
Most shifters have their beasts an integrated aspect of their characters. They might shift from one form to another but the basic “personality” remains the same. Here they are completely separate, two different personalities, right down to their own names. The man is Travis, and the wolf is Bran. They coexist within the same body and have conversations about their situations.
It might take some adjustment for readers who are more familiar with shifters of the first description but once you have made the connection, it’s fascinating and easy to invest in this aspect of the story.
Stone’s creativity about the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the mythology and foundation behind his life is layered and fascinating. I’m hoping that because of the storylines, the connections to the other characters, we will get further exploration to fill in some of the gaps left here.
This is a fated mate’s romance built in with a special forces operation that’s also , I expect, finding a new mission. So many elements and characters have to be introduced in this story that it’s a bit jam packed. Some holes are bound to be left open.
But the important elements are all there. All the characters are great, not just the main characters and couple. I love the journey of Travis/Bran and John “Juice “ O’Leary, his fated mate take. Really it’s just getting started as this book ends. There we see a new tighter unit being developed in special forces Volcano with the great characters we have gotten to know.
I’m assuming each getting their own story. Viper is next up.
I’m highly recommending this book and series.
Volcano unit:
CO Kelvin “Viper “ Dare Volcano 1 John “Juice“ O’Leary,Volcano 2 Kazan “Kaze” Black Volcano 3 Michael “Reaper” Rodriquez 4 Zane “Zero” Morgan Volcano 5 Taylor *Trace* Reeves/Bran , Volcano 6
Cover Art: Golden Czermak
Operation Volcano series: 🔹Operation Magma #1 🔹Operation Caldera #2 - July 1,2025
📚Book Review📚 Book:Operation Magma Author:Annabella Stone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: PNR MM Romance Spice Level:🌶️ Pub Date: Released 11/4/23
Taylor *Trace* Reeves -Human Bran-Wolf
This is the first book in a new PNR series by @bellastone. This is my first shifter book so please bear with me on this review. I’ve never had a desire to read PNR before but if Bella writes it, I’m reading it even if it’s a cereal box. Lol I’ve read all of the books she’s written up to this point and thought I had my favorite characters solidified but then Trace/Bran swooped in and tore that list to shreds (pun intended 🤭). Now no one will take Jonah’s top spot, because he’s my dude, but Trace/Bran sure gave him a run for his money and knocked everyone out of the way to get to 2nd place.
The whole “fated mates” trope was new to me so I had to do a bit of research as I read. Typically I don’t enjoy “instalove” type tropes but the connection between Trace/Bran and Juice—ughhh swoon 😍😍! I loved both their human side and their wolf side and when they worked together as one. For being a bada$$ seal and a wolf all rolled into one, they are so adorable, I want to snatch them up and keep them for myself!
I found the Irish lore incorporated into the story fascinating. She weaved this into a modern setting with a military group, so the whole “protective wolf”vibe flowed so seamlessly. I love how in all of her books, Bella has found family and acceptance, they defend and protect what’s theirs. It’s one of my favorite aspects of her books. I look forward to seeing where this new series takes us. I'm excited to explore more of the PNR genre!
Oh my… what a story this is! I absolutely loved it. “Operation Magma” is Bella’s first PNR book in her new “Operation Volcano” series. This is an Irish tale brought to life by Bella’s exceptional writing. This is the beginning of Trace’s (and Bran’s) and Juice’s story. Trace has served in different branches through the years with his wolf, Bran, and together they continue to protect and fight the wars of man. Fate brings them in Juice’s Team and finding their Grá Croí, their mate. Bran is a big affectionate wolf with a snarky attitude, ready to protect what considers his and Trace’s. This is a beautiful story. A story of acceptance and new discoveries and found family. “Do you not see the glitter?”. We get to see glimpses of the other members of the team and I love their connection, their banter and sense to protect. It is a story of perfect balance between paranormal and reality and I am very much looking forward to the second book. “I gotta admit, I haven’t a f@cking clue what I’m doing. I just know that the second I crossed the fence line and followed your paw prints that I was coming home”.
This is the first PNR book from Annabella Stone and it doesn't disappoint. The book shows her usual fast path military romance just this time with the added wolf shifter and an Irish folk myth in the mix.
I love how Trace and Bran are communicating, it's slightly different from other shifter descriptions, Trace's wolf has a far more independent personality and his snark is just as good as Trace's.
The human SEAL team - if you read the author before you know what you can expect, a band of brothers, guys with snark, wit and personalities you want to get to know a lot better and hope and pray for more books. Having a wolf in their middle is surprising but they take it and run with it.
Juice and Trace - they just click and not just because Bran is convinced Juice is their mate. It's a bit slow burn but it really works, the discovery what Trace is and how it all works out.
Annabella Stone returns to her ancestral roots to bring this tale to life. I am so enamored of this series already, I can’t wait for the rest!!! Trace is the Hound of the Old Gods of Ireland. Juice is the Navy Seal who is his mate. They battle ghouls with the help of a banshee, expose their true selves to their team during a battle, and discover others on their team may be Fae as well. This is Annabella doing what she does best with a paranormal twist. But honestly, her writing is so extraordinary that you forget this a PNR and just feel like you are reading about Panther or Ghost. And you fall in love with the team from moment one. 12/10 recommend. Read immediately! And Blessed Be.
Positively lovely. Worth all five stars. The love and acceptance that are in Annabella Stone's other MM books is live and kicking. I read this as an ebook and came across one negative. When Trace and Bran are talking to each other, it's difficult to keep track of who is saying what. It's a small thing.
I expected another mission or something. That's it, they mated and now its the end. Well at least now Trace/Bran are on Juices team and they can continue to fight side by side. His new team is pretty awesome as they except him for the immortal shifter he is. Next up is Viper's story but does he get a wolf too because I through only Bran was left behind?
While shifters are not usually my cup of tea, I was completely and utterly shocked that that I not only finished this in one sitting but that I could not put it down. Trace and Juice's story hooked me in from the beginning and it was so freaking good!! Loved the dynamics of Trace/Bran with the rest of the team and I am so glad I now have book 2 as I think I found my new genre to devour!!
Wow what a story! Absolutely loved the mix of realistic with paranormal. Blended in a fabulous suspenseful and action packed plot. And boy oh boy the ending was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Wonderful characters, banter and so much more, it gripped and left me wanting more. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
I had ALL the feels. I cried, I smiled, I sobbed I NEVER sob and I sobbed. Being retired military I feel kinship but damn so awesome so words fail me. I cannot wait for the next story.
This was a stray from her normal military MM books what with the wolf shifter and all but still all the humor and love of her beloved MM books. I loved Trace/Bran and Juice and the rest of the crew. Looking forward to more in this series!
Interesting take on shifters in the military. Thought the (forgive me) shift from "he's hot" to "and we're forever" was a bit abrupt on Juice's part. Also.. is it weird that they never use names beyond call signs? Even in bed? Because I find that a little weird.
I've read a lot of Annabella Stone books, and although this is a decent read, I feel like it was a little bit rushed. I'm glad I read it, and I plan on continuing to see where it goes, but I really felt like there needed to be more to it.
A little bit of old magic. He following what he train for to protect. When he finds his mate things are not all as the seem. Happy den and happy mate. Looking forward to next book dare.
It’s a decent start to what might be a good series, unfortunately hobbled by a lack of explanations and undefined language. It is a bit brutal, though not too graphic, and this initial book only provides an outline for the series.
Omg this was so dang good!!! So much better then expected!!! And completely different from all of this author other stories!!! I can't wait for the next book to be released!!!!
First time reading a book from this author. I've loved reading military and shifters, and this book did not disappoint! This author now has a new follower!
Loved this! For a first venture into the shifter world for this author it's amazing. And the world building was clearly well thought out. Looking forward to the next one!