Interlude: First Noel: The Executive Office #4

I knew from reading both Enemies of the State and Enemy of my Enemy that the time Ethan and Jack were separated was extremely hard for this couple but Tal brings it full circle with this very full 125 pages. One minute my heart just about broke for both of these men and the next I was fanning my face. Yes, this super couple is extremely hot and they used their time together very nicely! They also used their time apart doing what they do best by either running the country or being knee deep in an investigation.Tal’s writing is a true joy to read. From keeping everything flowing within the storyline to all the Christmas decorations in the White House and all the little extras that fill these pages.I truly believe Tal is a master storyteller. The Executive Office Series is full of political drama and an absolutely amazing love story. I very much look forward to the next book and the adventure to continue for Ethan, Jack and Company.

4.5 Stars - I loved this Interlude for Jack and Ethan. Ethan is in Iowa and flying back and forth to DC to try to spend time with Jack. The constant pressure of the press and the separation is taking it's toll on both Ethan and Jack but they are committed to making it work. Ethan is taking a vacation to spend some time with Jack in D.C. and the reader gets to spend a bit of downtime with these two and it's very sweet! In the backdrop is a case that Ethan is working on in Iowa and of course Jack is still dealing with the political fallout of his public kiss and the world learning about his relationship with Ethan. This book (although numbered #4 is really a 1.5 since that's where it falls in on the timeline) and I enjoyed spending some time with these two without all the adventure and frantic pace. Although I'm looking forward to diving back into that in book #2. A wonderful Christmas treat for fans of Ethan and Jack!

Only Tal can take a novella...well what would be considered a novella in the Executive Office series, cause it's a big boy...and make a world of its own. I was dumb and didn't buy Interlude when it first came out. I did finish Enemy Within, within 24 hours after buying it this year, but $4.99 for Interlude kept it on my wish list but just out of reach. I am so sorry about that!! It is worth it!!! I promise it is worth every dollar and then some. I should have known, anyone who writes like Tal would give you a novella to rival all others. I never buy 'em, they are too small, not enough to get a story going and you are always left feeling empty (like Chinese food 2 hours later) while waiting for the next "full" book to come out. Interlude shows all other writers how to write a short(er) bridging story, that little taste to keep you going and fill in the blanks while you wait for the big one.Jack and Ethan are so adorable, so real, so much the embodiment of people we would love to know in real life. JACK for President - PLEASE!!! This almost 200 page "short story" was darn good. There was even a mystery/investigation, and an unfortunate battle/war, woven in between that were perfectly fleshed out.And now...I head over to book one to start the series ALL over again, in proper order this time. Thanks, Tal! I'll miss this series, but I know you will have something else equally wonderful up your writing sleeves.

This was more than I expected it to be. I expected a novella and got a novel. A shorter one, but still a novel. The story was simpler than the first book (I read them in chronological, rather than series, order), and was sort of a cross between a political and a legal thriller but with a quieter storyline. It had more romance than thrills. I’m looking forward to going back to the technically second book of the series that I think chronologically starts after this one. Whew, confusing!

This book is for the fans of The Executive Office series. It doesn't really add anything important to the whole story, it's more like super sweet bonus content. It was interesting and enlightening to see the downside of a celebrity relationship. I don't think that everyone is fully aware of the difficulties, like having the world's very judgemental eye on you. So I really enjoyed these details as much as I enjoyed all the sweet romantic parts. And I am a devoted fan of Jack and Sergey's friendship, so all in all, I'm truly satisfied with this book.

I know this was meant to show Ethan's and Jack's times together while Ethan was in exile. And it was meant to show that he was not totally isolated while he was there, I loved reading all that, and loved to hear Shepherd eat crow! I loved other things as much as Ethan's and Jack's tumultuous, passionate, fulsome lovemaking. For example, I loved watching Ethan mentor Becker...that was beautiful to see, and I'm glad the young man took it all in and showed his appreciation. And I loved seeing Ethan doing his job...he's one tough, badass, take-no-prisoners guy, but with a side of gentle understanding born of his own current life and choices.

Timeline wise, this takes place between books 1 & 2. Ethan’s punishment for breaking all the rules is the focus, and what him and President Jack do to overcome all the obstacles they face together. It’s also their first Christmas together. Beautiful and heartwarming and sexy!

I don’t know why the author picked this time period for Jack and Ethan.Knowing what was coming up for the characters. I would rather know what is in store for them after everything. I did enjoy this wonderful shorter story.Great author.

Interlude is a short story set within Tal Bauer's Executive Office world. In this tale we take a peak inside the relationship of Jack and Ethan without all the nail biting angst and drama of the other books in this series, although we do see some scenes that shape and explain the adventures to come.With Christmas approaching and the two men separated Tal takes us through their thoughts and feelings and show us a relationship that is only getting stronger, even though they are miles apart.There are some absolute gems within this story, like the first dance, santa selfies and my own favourite the car conversation. But through it all Tal winds us up tighter and tighter within his world, making fiction seem reality, so much so that when I hear talk of the president on the news, I look up a little shocked not to see Jack Spiers on my screen.I don't know if this book was a gift to the fans of EO or a gift to himself, but once again Tal Bauer proves he is a weaver of tales that will only get better and better.

It's weird going back with Jack and Ethan to see their first Christmas together after the story had moved on in time at the end of book one.But it's also a really sweet insight into how they made their long distance relationship work after Ethan got banished to Iowa.There's also a nice little side plot with an investigation into counterfeiting which takes a sideways turn into an FBI murder case while Ethan deals with his local chief not wanting him there.Their actual Christmas together is seriously sweet and emotionally satisfying.

So good loved this entire series. It’s perfect . I love Ethan and Jack so damn much . So exciting and a beautiful ending to the series. Highly recommended

I don’t know what I expected from this book but it wasn’t the raw emotion it exudes. The relationship between Ethan and Jack is written sensitively and beautiful to read. I laughed, I cried and I cheered, I need another hit of Tal Bauer magic.

Really recommended this series. Writing this at 5AM as I had to know how it all ended. Sweet, funny, sad and exciting, all in one package.