Book Review ELUSIVE PROMISE (Off the Grid FBI Series) by Barbara Freethy

Synopsis (from Amazon)

When tragedy strikes an engagement party, Special Agent Parisa Maxwell becomes the sole survivor and the only witness to a kidnapping and the theft of a legendary diamond. With her friend now missing, Parisa makes a promise to save the other woman, no matter the cost.

Jared MacIntyre's entire life is a carefully cultivated set of lies. He wasn't looking for the beautiful brunette when he ventured into the private rooms at the consulate, but he couldn't ignore the woman fighting for her life. Now their lives are inexplicably intertwined. The kidnapping and theft may be part of a bigger, deadlier plot—one that he's on a mission to stop before someone else he loves ends up dead. 

Two strangers, each with their own secrets. Two strangers who never expected to find love amidst the danger. Two strangers who will have to take the ultimate risk: trust each other—or lose everything.  

Review

Jared and Parisa are great characters, each with their own secrets. Both are equally as strong and evasive, neither wanting to risk or looking for romance. With many possible avenues for threats, the two jockey back and forth to reach and contain their target. There are also a few heartfelt moments as they visit Jared's home. Well-written and fast paced, this one is hard to put down. Not a "cozy" though.

Although fourth in the series, it is easily read as a stand-alone. A few of the characters from the earlier books (Parisa's FBI friends) make appearances, but not to distraction. Freethy has done it again, and I can't wait for the next one to come out (Dangerous Choices is coming soon...)

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Book Review: PERILOUS TRUST Off the Grid; FBI Series #1 by Barbara Freethy

While "sheltering in place," I'm  reading a wider range of books. This one is romantic suspense, definitely not a cozy mystery. 


Synopsis (from Amazon)


It was one dark night that brought Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker together. They were two tortured souls, looking for escape, and they weren't supposed to see each other ever again…

Four years later, Sophie's FBI father, who is also Damon's mentor, is killed in a suspicious car crash after leaving Sophie a cryptic message to trust no one from the agency. When Damon shows up looking for her, she isn't sure if he's friend or enemy, but she knows he could easily rip apart what is left of her heart.

The last thing Damon wants is to get involved with Sophie again. It was hard enough to walk away the first time. But she's in trouble, her father's reputation is under attack, and the lives of his fellow agents are at stake if there's a traitor in their midst.

When someone starts shooting at them, they have no choice but to go on the run and off the grid. Everyone in their world becomes a suspect. They want to uncover the truth, but will it turn out to be the last thing they expect? Proving her father's innocence might just cost them their hearts…and their lives…

Review

A romance that never went anywhere and his allegiance to his mentor serve as motivation enough for Damon to ensure Sophie's safe when she can't be found. It quickly looks like something is wrong and his feelings for Sophia take over. She's not sure who to trust and her father's last words were to not trust anyone, especially anyone in the agency. 

This is a fast paced, active story. The plot moves along with secrets and clues revealed gradually, almost as if Freethy is teasing the reader. Sophie and Damon are both likable characters. You want this to work out well for them both, despite the obstacles. If you like romantic suspense, drama, and action, you will like this book. Only be sure to allow enough time to read it all at once, or you might lose some sleep to finish it. I did. With continued "stay at home" time, I'm onto #2 next.

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This is the first in a new series by Barbara Freethy featuring FBI agents working Off the Grid.  The full series is below:

Perilous Trust #1
Reckless Whisper #2
Desperate Play #3
Elusive Promise #4
Dangerous Choice #5
Ruthless Cross #6

NEW RELEASE & Review: REMNANTS (Brandon Fisher FBI Series) by Carolyn Arnold

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 11, 2017

Synopsis:

All that remains are whispers of the past…

When multiple body parts are recovered from the Little Ogeechee River in Savannah, Georgia, local law enforcement calls in FBI agent and profiler Brandon Fisher and his team to investigate. But with the remains pointing to three separate victims, this isn’t proving to be an open-and-shut case.

With no quick means of identifying the deceased, building a profile of this serial killer is more challenging than usual. How are these targets being selected? Why are their limbs being severed and their bodies mutilated? And what is it about them that is triggering this person to murder?

The questions compound as the body count continues to rise, and when a torso painted blue and missing its heart is found, the case takes an even darker turn. But this is only the beginning, and these new leads draw the FBI into a creepy psychological nightmare. One thing is clear, though: The killing isn’t going to stop until they figure it all out. And they are running out of time…

Review:

Brandon Fisher is an FBI agent in the Behavioral Analysis Unit. His job and that of his partners is to profile and pursue serial killers. In this, the 6th in the Brandon Fisher FBI Series, Savannah is the setting and the FBI is called in as bones surface, not just once, but multiple times. As Brandon and crew investigate, the reader gets glimpses of perspectives by the killer and victims. 

Emotionally charged, the story line is well-developed and fast-paced. Although part of a series, this can easily be read as a stand-alone.  If you're a fan of Criminal Minds and suspense/thrillers in general, you'll like this book though it may give you nightmares. 

About the Author:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series--Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures--and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

http://carolynarnold.net

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