I love potato
chips. I remember, as a child, sitting on the sofa for hours, munching chips
and reading. Before I realized how much time had passes, the chips were gone
and the book was finished.
I particularly
like Lay’s chips. So thin, so crisp. And the lightly-salted barbecue is the
best. Naturally, I can’t find those ones anymore.
Traci Hunter
Abramson’s books are a lot like Lay’s. You can’t read just one. And before you
know it, in a single day, you’ve finished two of them. Maybe more.
I have ARCS of
several of her books, standalones and series books, and I discovered just how
intertwined many of them are.
I inadvertently
started with the “Guardian” series, and enjoyed their many mentions of the Saint
Squad. And of course, I had some of those to review as well. And as I got deeper
into them, I realized…there’s backstory here that I don’t know. Sure, any of
them could be read as a standalone, but it’s far more fun when
you understand the full scope of these characters’ lives. Even her books that
are billed as “standalones” frequently feature characters that we’ve seen in
other places. (So much so, in fact, that I’m severely tempted to make a spreadsheet
just so I can see the patterns. I am notorious at school for my color-coded
spreadsheets, but I just really like to see both the forest and the trees at
the same time.)
Thing is, most of
the characters are such fully-formed, individual people with personalities that
you want to know all about them.
And seeing
spy-thrillers written by a woman is a refreshing twist in itself. Add in the
twist of romance, combine it with the “clean read” factor, and you have some good
reading. (A note on the “clean” factor: Abramason is a member of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church beliefs and practices are mentioned,
sometimes in-depth, in most of her books. Those that do not mention the church
specifically generally have characters who have some kind of religious faith.
If you find any of this off-putting, well, you have been warned. Can you enjoy
the books without understanding the LDS references? Sure.) I also recommend
reading the books in publication order, as the interweaving of characters will
make the most sense that way—in other words, you’ll be jumping around between
series and so-called standalones.
Is it perfect? No.
The romantic twists can occasionally be tropey. And when you read an author’s
entire bibliography in a month, you notice some repeated phrases that she
sometimes relies too heavily on.
Nonetheless, I am a
fan. A big fan.
Following are
reviews of the specific books that I have ARCs for. And trust me—that in-depth
character chart will happen.
Dream’s Edge
Series
This series is set
in the early 1980s, during the Cold War. It references the Soviet Union and
Amaliya’s mother’s defection 20 years before this series takes place. This
series has no crossovers with any of Abramson’s other books.
An Unlikely PairPublisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (June
7, 2021)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1524417041
ISBN-13: 978-1524417048
Publisher’s blurb:
After a family tragedy,
aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave
behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life
in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater,
she finds a glimmer of hope.
After his sister's unexpected retirement from
figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US
national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that
proves nearly impossible―until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local
ice rink. Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and
asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees.
The path to the championship won't be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly
establish a solid partnership and a profound connection―both on and off the
ice. However, competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time
comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve
their dreams.
My thoughts:
Amaliya is pretty
sheltered when she has to leave home and stay with family friends. She’s led a fairly
charmed life, despite her mother’s past as a defector from the Soviet Union. A
high school student, Amaliya faces typical problems related to having to move
during senior year, finding friends, and overcoming her fears about her parents’
recovery from a car accident. Her father is a professional hockey coach; her
mother was a star ballerina, and Amaliya aspires to be a professional
ballerina.
Tyler has an
on-again-off-again girlfriend who trains with the same coach. He’s determined
to get to the Olympics in pairs skating, despite his sister’s retirement and his
girlfriend’s suggestion that he switch to singles. When he sees Amaliya at the
local ice rink, something about her skating intrigues him. Eventually, they
become partners, though she’s barely even done single jumps before, let alone
the doubles that are the minimum requirement for competition.
Nonetheless, he’s
determined that her ballet ability will be the key and she can learn the rest.
Naturally his coach disagrees and his girlfriend is skeptical.
A variety of challenges
and setbacks ensue on the path toward Olympic qualification.
I have to say, my biggest
question goes back to my own ballet days: my ballet teachers wouldn’t allow us
to ice skate. They told us it was bad for our ankles. I don’t know if that’s
really a thing, or if it was just my teachers, but it did make me wonder.
One of my favorite
scenes is when Tyler and Amalia start teaching in order to pay for ice time.
Naturally, Tyler is assigned the hockey boys, and Amalia is assigned to beginner
figure skaters. They convince their boss to let them switch, and Amaliya makes
quite an impression on the little boys—and their dads—who think a girl can’t
coach hockey.
Possible
objectionable material:
Teenage drama.
Drunken prom dates. Kissing. Hearing about Amaliya’s parents’ injuries could be
worrisome. Seriously though, there’s nothing here that I think would be
inappropriate for a 12-year-old.
Who might like
this book:
Those interested
in ballet and/or ice skating. The protagonists are late teens/early 20s. Those
who like innocent romance.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Dreams of Gold
Publisher: Covenant Communications
(February 7, 2022)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-10: 1524418900
ISBN-13: 978-1524418908
Publisher’s Blurb
Nine months ago, Amaliya Marcell’s world was
rocked when she nearly lost her parents in a devastating accident. In that
moment, everything changed, and it was with no small amount of determination
that the former ballerina rebuilt her life into something wonderful alongside
the man she loves, her pairs ice-skating partner, Tyler.
Since he was a child, Tyler Linden has dreamed
of Olympic gold. And with Amaliya by his side, he’s confident that his goal is
finally within reach. The pair is on track to compete in the Winter Games in
Leningrad, but the path to gold turns out to be rougher than they expected. A
painful injury on the ice shakes Amaliya’s confidence, and it will take every
ounce of willpower to keep working toward the competition of her life. But when
the discovery of a family secret connects her to the Soviet Union, the truth of
her history forges within Amaliya a renewed determination to make her Olympic
dreams a reality.
My thoughts:
As Tyler and
Amaliya continue their quest for the Olympics, setbacks continue. A freak
on-ice accident makes Amaliya lose her nerve for quite a while, but eventually,
they are able to pick up the pieces and (semi-spoiler) qualify for the Olympics
in Leningrad. This has special importance to Amaliya, because it is near to
where her mother grew up, and she has only recently learned that she still has
family there. This discovery adds to her motivation to make it onto the Olympic
team. She and Tyler have become more than partners on the ice, forging a romantic
relationship as well.
I particularly
enjoyed the subplot of Amaliya meeting her mother’s family, especially
considering that she was the American child of a defector. I am surprised at
the ease with which she was allowed to visit her uncle and cousins in their
home, and worried for the family’s fate after entertaining Americans. The somewhat
sourpuss male cousin made me wonder if somehow he was going to rat them out for
something, but nothing came of that.
The book ends with
Amaliya and Tyler looking forward to the World Championships and seeing Amaliya’s
cousin Sonya (a singles skater) again.
This book is not
yet released, but I am assuming that Abramson is planning another one, as there
are some definite loose ends that could be tied up. Not enough that it couldn’t
end here, but I strongly suspect there’s at least one more.
Possible
objectionable material:
Drama between
competitors. Kissing. Some readers might need some historical context on the
Soviet Union. There’s nothing here that I think would be inappropriate for a
12-year-old.
Who might like
this book:
Those interested
in ballet and/or ice skating. The protagonists are late teens/early 20s. Those
who like innocent romance.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Standalones
Chance for Home
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(April 3, 2017)
Paperback: 248 pages
ISBN-10: 1524401889
ISBN-13: 978-1524401887
Publisher’s blurb:
Beautiful pre-med student
Kari Evans believes she's found the man of her dreams—right up until the moment
she discovers he's a two-timing cheat. Desperately gathering the pieces of her
broken heart, she realizes that what she needs most is space to reconsider her
future. A summer in Washington, DC, with her professional baseball player
brother, Ben, sounds like just the change of scene she's after. But if
complicated romantic entanglements are what she's trying to escape, she's out
of luck.
Ryan Strobel has had it with spotlight-seeking
women. As third baseman for the Washington Nationals, he's dealt with more than
his fair share of opportunistic admirers—but his ex-fiancée, Brandi, may be the
worst. When the woman refuses to take no for an answer, Ryan's teammate Ben
offers a crazy solution: Ben's sister will pose as Ryan's new girlfriend.
Though an unlikely pair, Ryan and Kari find themselves getting surprisingly
comfortable with the charade. Soon, the line between fact and fiction is
blurred, and the very real feelings that develop between the couple are
undeniable. But when faced with the interference of conniving exes, family
objections, and the reality of their very different lives, are Ryan and Kari
destined to strike out in the game of love?
My thoughts:
This is a follow-up to Abramson’s Chances
Are. You do not need to have read that one, but it helps. There are
no crossover characters with her other work.
This was a quick read. While it had many of
the predictable romance elements, it was enjoyable nonetheless. Abramson
clearly enjoys baseball, and the behind-the-scenes look at baseball life is
fun, as is the ongoing prank war between some of the players.
Kari is the typical independent young woman
coming off a bad breakup. Her goal is medical school, but no one seems to think
she’s capable of the many more years of high stress education that will take. Except,
of course, for Ryan. Ryan is tired of women who want to date him because he’s A.
Good looking; B. Semi-famous; C. Pretty well off; D. All of the above. So when
Kari comes to stay with Ben and his wife, pretending to date her seems like the
solution to his problems.
Add in the twist of Ryan’s mother being hit by
a car and needing near-round the clock care just as he has to leave for a road
trip, and you add an interesting dynamic to the relationship.
There are the usual complications and
misunderstanding, but the book comes to the requisite happy ending.
Possible
objectionable material:
Sneaky underhanded
exes. Kissing. Medical issues. I would totally let my 14-year-old read this if
she were interested.
Who might like
this book:
Those who like
clean romance. Being a baseball fan doesn’t hurt!
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Heirs of Falcon
Point
By Traci Hunter
Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(October 11, 2021)
ISBN-10: 1524417793
ISBN-13: 978-1524417796
Publisher’s blurb:
The Nazis have taken control of Austria, and wealthy widower
Leopold Lang faces a difficult decision: join the ranks of the foreign power
that has taken over his homeland or flee with his children to safety. Leopold
makes his choice--but too late. His family is ripped apart, never to be
reunited. But decades later, fate brings together the descendants of this
broken dynasty in the place where it all began--Falcon Point.
Anna, Cole, and Tess have never met, each relying
on fractured pieces of information to understand their Austrian heritage. But
when unforeseen opportunities draw these Lang cousins to to Falcon Point, they
soon discover they are not alone in their quest to claim the coveted property
and the fabled treasure hidden within. Unfortunately, another claimant, one
with a much darker heritage, is determined to eliminate the Lang family once
and for all.
My Thoughts:
This book does not cross over with Abramson’s other books.
This group-written effort starts off a bit slow as the Lang
family make their escape from the Nazi regime. Once we jump forward to their
modern-day descendants, things definitely picked up. This was not as gripping
as Abramson’s solo endeavors, but there was definitely some intrigue to propel
the plot forward—as well as an assortment of relationship types to keep those
who are in it for the romance going.
I always wonder about group-written books, and there’s a fun
guide at the beginning for who developed which characters. There are no shifts
in voice or style to indicate that there were multiple writers at work.
Possible
objectionable material:
The escape from
the Nazi’s could stress some out. People get shot. A hit and run accident. Perilous
situations.
Who might like
this book:
Those interested
in WWII and the aftermath. Those who like mysteries. And, of course, romance
fans.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Entangled
By Traci Hunter
Abramson, Clair M. Poulson, Gregg Luke, Stephanie Black
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(September 1, 2019)
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 1524410888
ISBN-13: 978-1524410889
Publisher’s Blurb:
Mystery and desperation
collide in Entangled, a compilation of novellas that twist, turn,
and terrify, penned by four popular suspense authors: Traci Hunter Abramson,
Clair M. Poulson, Gregg Luke, and Stephanie Black.
A woman on the run from a man who is always
one step ahead
A mother who will stop at nothing to find her
missing daughter
A wife determined to discover the source of
the illness attacking her husband
A newlywed caught in a web of murder, unsure
of whom to trust
Featuring a chilling cast of villains, these
stories tell the tale of strong heroines forced to make perilous snap decisions
in their quest to outwit evil. With an abundance of intrigue and danger, each
masterful mystery is sure to leave you breathless.
My Thoughts:
This set of
novellas offers something for everyone. They vary wildly in topic and craft.
“Bridge of Trust”,
by Abramson, is the first selection and features a woman who recently divorced
her criminal husband. He has kidnapped one of their children, and the FBI—including
one of Abramson’s recurring characters, Charlie Whitmore—are on the case.
Naturally, there’s an element of romance here, as well as edge-of-your seat
situations. This is Abramson’s usual quality work.
“Corrupted”, by
Poulson, is next. It’s a huge contrast from Abramson’s work. I
have a handful of his books that a friend gave me that I have not yet read. If
they are of the same quality as this, they will end up in the donation pile. I
peeked in one, and it was not encouraging. The story is…fine. Someone is
kidnapping young girls off the street and trafficking them. Widowed police Lieutenant
Jay Tanstall becomes personally involved when his girlfriend’s daughter
disappears…and the cop who took a witness statement from the neighbor lady records
incorrect details.
My first objection
to this story is the basic plot premise. It appears Poulson has bought into the
incorrect assumptions about human trafficking. A quick Google search reveals
that most trafficking victims are adult women, and that victims (and particularly
teen/preteen girls) are rarely randomly abducted off the street and trafficked.
But even worse
than the plot is the writing style. Like, so difficult to read. Long strings of
one-syllable words. Very few contractions when the characters speak. Conversation
is stilted, and the characters use each others’ names far too much in the
conversation. For instance, Jay’s partner, Vallie, starts with his name about
every other time she speaks during an intense conversation.
“Insidious”, by Luke,
is not your typical thriller. This one is a race-against-time attempt by Taryn
Miner, a pharmacist, and her husband’s doctor to figure out why her Olympic-caliber
pole vaulter husband is suddenly in a severe health crisis. Luke’s own
pharmacology experience comes to the front a little too much, as the
science-speak can become a bit too much. I’ll be honest, I had the diagnosis a
lot sooner than the characters did—Luke telegraphed it very clearly if you know
what you’re looking for.
The final story is
“Something Beautiful for Something Evil” by Black. This one uses the trope of
the naïve woman falling for a man’s (in this case, her husband’s) claim to be
secretly working for the government in order to use her in furthering his own
evil ends. This was, to me, the second best of the stories in the book. It had
enough intricate plotting to keep it interesting, although I was still shaking
my head at how gullible Kate was.
Possible
objectionable material:
Various types of
violence and peril. No swearing, no sex.
Who might like
this book:
Those who enjoy a
collection of shorter stories rather than a full-length book, and like their
mysteries varied.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Proximity
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(October 1, 2018)
Paperback: 262 pages
ISBN-10: 1524406821
ISBN-13: 978-1524406820
Publisher’s blurb:
Tia Parker always seems to fall for the wrong guy. But when
she meets Evan Spence at a friend's wedding, it seems like she's finally found
Mr. Right. Their spark is undeniable, but reality may extinguish any hope for a
future: they are separated by thousands of miles. As the couple struggles with
the pitfalls of pursuing romance long-distance, Tia is taken off guard by a new
arrival in town. Colby Farren is handsome and charming and has made it clear
he's interested in Tia. Yet despite his obvious infatuation, Tia can't seem to
get Evan out of her mind. Caught between the attention of two very different
men, her complicated love life is soon eclipsed by much more sobering concerns.
A break-in at her apartment is just the first in a series of bizarre events, each
bringing her one step closer to a dangerous liaison. And knowing who to trust
could be a matter of life and death.
My thoughts:
While I enjoyed
this book and still give it four stars, I like this less than Abramson’s other
work. Maybe because it’s her second time in the “man obsessively stalks a woman”
vein, and I think she did it better in Obsession. I didn’t dislike the
book; I like the protagonists and the way their relationship develops. I love
that we got to see Charlie Whitmore and Kendra Blake. (Even though this is a
complete stand-alone, it’s always good to see friends from other books.) Colby
was set up to be the villain pretty quickly, and lived up to those
expectations.
Possible
objectionable material:
Perilous
situations. Quick romance. Kissing. Stalking.
Who might like
this book:
If you like
romantic suspense, this is the book for you!
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Mistaken Reality
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(October 1, 2019)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-10: 1524409413
ISBN-13: 978-1524409418
Publisher’s blurb:
Hadley Baker can't believe
her boyfriend finally invited her on a fancy hotel dinner date only to break up
with her in public. Even more unbelievable is the moment FBI Agent JD Byers
finds her crying in the women's restroom and demands she evacuate. Seconds
after JD ushers Hadley outside, an explosion shatters the building. Could her
life be any more disastrous?
JD didn't anticipate seeing Hadley, the
beautiful schoolteacher, again after he saved her from the hotel attack. But
soon after her ex-boyfriend became a lead suspect in the hotel bombing case,
the man turned up dead—and now it seems that Hadley herself is a target.
Determined to keep her safe, JD shelters Hadley as they join forces to put
together the pieces of the perplexing case. When they discover the horrifying
truth behind her ex-boyfriend's nefarious work, Hadley realizes her life is far
from the only one being threatened. Countless others are in danger, and she and
JD might hold the key to saving them.
My thoughts:
This one is one of
my favorites by Abramson. Although it is billed as a standalone, it is pretty
much a sequel to Deep Cover. It brings back the protagonists from that
book. It has the Saint Squad. It has the Guardians. It’s all the best of
Abramson’s works in one volume.
This book starts
with a literal bang. And the more Hadley learns about her ex-boyfriend, the
more she wonders whether anything in their relationship was genuine. (By the
end, I was thinking…maybe he really did love her. I read the book so fast
though, and that element was so minor to me, that it didn’t really matter that
much.)
I’m just going to jump
to the chase and let you know that the crime in this case is human trafficking.
And while I strongly disliked the way it was portrayed in the Poulson story in Entangled,
it works in this case.
As with all of
Abramson’s female protagonists, Hadley is a good combination of capable and
vulnerable. She, like the rest, does not simply wait to be rescued; she is an
active participant in her own survival.
Possible objectionable
material:
The same as with
Abramson’s other work: perilous situations, kissing. This time, children are in
danger as well.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Saint Squad
Series:
This series is about
a squad of Navy SEALS, known as the “Saint Squad” because someone in command
thought it would be interesting to put a bunch of members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together on a single squad. Their missions in
foreign countries are a key focus of the stories, but romance is equally
important. There is frequent mention of faith and church beliefs and practices.
Tripwire (#10)
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.;
First Printing: April 2018 edition (April 1, 2018)
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 1524405353
ISBN-13: 978-1524405359
Publisher’s blurb:
Jane Napierski is back at
work at the job she loves—being a personal assistant to her friend Sienna
Blake, a rising star actress. The duo is on location in Virginia Beach to film
Sienna's new TV series, along with costar Reed Forrester—the man with whom the
world thinks Sienna is in love. Wrong.
Sienna's heart actually belongs to her fiancé,
Craig, a Navy Seal with the Saint Squad. Craig must fly under the radar if he
is to keep Sienna safe from his world of terrorists and toxic bombs. And Reed
has no problem pretending to date his old friend Sienna simply because it means
he can spend time learning more about Jane. Making a TV series is grueling work
but not nearly as difficult as the treacherous adventure that is about to begin
with a simple photo taken in the wrong place at the wrong time—an image worth
killing for.
When Craig returns to the United States to
spend time with Sienna, he's not expecting to spend that time protecting her
and Jane. Frightening incidents targeting the two women rapidly escalate, and
as Craig and his Saint Squad investigate a tangled conspiracy, they find
themselves tracking, here at home, the terrorists they have searched for across
the globe. But can they shut the terrorists down in time to save Jane, Reed,
and Sienna?
My thoughts:
This one continues Craig and Sienna’s story from
Spotlight and brings in two new characters to fall in love. This one is
a bit of a Cinderella story as Sienna’s assistant ends up dating her co-star in
a new TV series—the same co-star who is pretending to date Sienna. There’s a
big misunderstanding here that almost derails the romance.
The plot is set into motion through the
accident of catching terrorists in the background of a photo Jane and Sienna
take at the airport. Of course, they don’t know what they’ve done, and they
think Sienna is being stalked just has her older sister, Kendra, had once been
(Obsession).
This one is part of the Saint Squad
series, so there are LDS references and we get to see plenty of the team and their
wives.
Best scene: the one for which the book is named.
There’s nothing like triggering a mine to get your blood pumping!
This one is not about any of the squad members
finding love, but the squad is definitely part of the story.
Possible objectionable material:
This series is about Navy SEALs and their
missions. People get shot. People die. Also: kissing. Reference to faith, and
particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you don’t like
religion in your thrillers, pass this by.
Who might like this book:
Fans of romance, suspense, or both.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Redemption (#11)
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (September
20, 2021)
Paperback: 314 pages
ISBN-10: 1524417521
ISBN-13: 978-1524417529
Publisher’s blurb:
Gage Stewart has spent five
years trying to overcome his past. Once an abused and troubled teenager, he has
worked tirelessly to move beyond the fateful day he was manipulated into
holding a group of teenagers hostage. Now, with a new identity and a college
degree in criminal psychology, he accepts an unlikely job teaching others what
to do during mass shootings.
At the hotel where his class is held, Gage is
immediately drawn to Skyler Prescott, the daughter of the wealthy hotel owner.
Gage and Skyler quickly discover a shared desire for normalcy, and their easy
friendship soon develops into something more. But after a night out ends in horror
when a gunman opens fire in the crowded venue, they make an alarming discovery
that threatens more than their relationship. The attack was little more than a
publicity stunt to draw out the real target: presidential candidate Senator
James Whitmore. Unwilling to become someone’s scapegoat, Gage must now work in
tandem with the very men who ended his own life of crime before it began―the
Saint Squad.
My thoughts:
I really appreciated the way Abramson brought
back a pivotal character from the second Saint Squad book—Lockdown. And
the way in which she brought him back was an excellent way to show that the
members of the Saint Squad are not all, well, saints. They have some serious
apprehension about Gage, and it takes them a while to get over their grudges. I
applaud this! The title of the book is well-chosen, because it is about Gage’s
chance to find redemption from his past, in the eyes of the Saint Squad, and in
his own mind.
Skyler is the only functional member of her
ultra-wealthy family, and the fact that Gage (who has no clue who she “really”
is) treats her like just another person is appealing to her. Of course, this
would not be a romantic thriller if there were not misunderstandings and
obstacles in their paths—including Gage’s past.
This one is not about any of the squad members
finding love, but the squad is definitely part of the story.
There is frequent mention of a recent attempt
on Senator Whitmore’s life. This incident was part of Guardians #5, In Harm’s
Way. You don’t have to have read that book, but it helps.
Possible objectionable material:
This series is about Navy SEALs and their
missions. People get shot. People die. Also: kissing. Reference to faith, and
particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you don’t like
religion in your thrillers, pass this by. Oh, and kissing.
Who might like this book:
Fans of romance, suspense, or both. People who
like a good redemption story.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Guardians Series:
This series
focuses on the Guardians, a super-classified program of “Ghosts” who help to
protect United States agents who are in danger at home and abroad. The program,
known only to a very few, amalgamates information from all branches of
intelligence and military to prevent friendly fire incidents and to protect US
assets and the country. They are first hinted at in 2013’s Deep Cover, frequently
appeared in the Saint Squad series before getting a series of their own. The
individual Guardians are people who, for various reasons, have had to fake
their own deaths for their own protection or that of those they love, and operate
anonymously. This series has less mention of specific LDS ideals; the protagonists
are not LDS, but the Saint Squad still appears frequently and there is mention
of church practices.
Safe House (#2)
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(October 2, 2017)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1524402753
ISBN-13: 978-1524402754
Publisher’s blurb:
The guardians, the shadowy heroes of the
top-secret program designed to protect members of the most elite government
organizations, are being hunted down one by one. There is a single explanation:
a traitor must be embedded somewhere in their midst. But if they themselves are
the target, who will protect them?
CIA operative Renee Niezen has heard tales of
the guardians, though she's never really believed in their existence— until she
is approached by Charlotte, an old friend who desperately needs her help to
stop the systematic destruction of the guardian program. Renee accepts the plea
for assistance, but not everyone is thrilled to have her on the team. Kade—one
of the last guardians standing—is unimpressed with Renee's qualifications and
turns instead to the legendary Saint Squad for help. But when Renee is caught
in the crosshairs, Kade must set aside his antagonism for the woman in order to
protect her. Their grudging alliance soon develops into much more—but before
the pair can examine their feelings, their investigation takes a dramatic
twist. With lives on the line, Renee and Kade must use their spy training at
every turn as they draw dangerously close to the shocking truth.
My thoughts:
This book was
actually my introduction to the Saint Squad, since it is the first Abramson
book I read. (I then went back to the first Saint Squad book, then jumped back
to Undercurrents before continuing on.) The squad are frequent participants in helping
the Guardians to complete their necessary tasks.
The dramatic
tension in this book was really well done, especially given the need for Kade
to preserve his anonymity. Renee starts out wondering what she’s gotten herself
into –between potentially working in support for the Guardians, having someone
trying to kill her, and building a relationship with total loner Kade, she definitely
has her ups and downs. For Kade, the battle is in learning to depend on someone
and simply accepting the presence of another person in his life.
I don’t think it’s
giving anything away to say that they do eventually work things out.
There is one glaring
continuity error here. I probably wouldn’t have noticed it if I’d been reading
the books as they were published, but I’ve read all of Abramson’s
work in a month, and I’ve always had a knack for continuity issues. This book
mentions Taylor (from the Saint Squad series being to show her pregnancy.
However, Taylor’s first pregnancy doesn’t happen until some time later, in Redemption.
Possible objectionable material:
Again, we’re dealing with what are basically
secret agents. People get shot. People die.
Who might like this book:
Fans of romance, suspense, or both.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Sanctuary (#3)
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
(March 1, 2019)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-10: 1524407380
ISBN-13: 978-1524407384
Publisher’s blurb:
Kristi Hartinger has come to
terms with her life as a single, thirty-something woman. She was in love . . .
once. But following her boyfriend's tragic death, no one else could capture her
heart. And nothing else could fill that void, though the serenity of the ocean
came close. Two years ago, Kristi left the craziness of her Wall Street career
behind and embraced a simpler life on her family's private island off the coast
of Maine. As a resident of the small beach community, she anticipates a quiet
future until she comes face-to-face with her past.
Ace Samson is dead, or so the world believes.
As a member of a secret organization known as the guardians, he was forced to
fake his death years ago, leaving everything behind when he became an agent. So
when he is selected to offer a potential new recruit a job with the
organization, Ace braces himself: for the first time in more than a decade, he
must face the woman he loved and left.
Kristi's world is rocked by Ace's sudden
reappearance, and she's soon drawn into his world of danger and cover-up. But
when Kristi herself becomes a target, Ace will do whatever it takes to protect
the only woman he has ever loved.
My thoughts:
This has been my
favorite of this series. It really examines the losses that some of the
Guardians have had to face when faking their deaths.
Ace, against his
wishes, is sent to recruit Kristi to manage the finances of the Guardian
program. He was in love with her when he “died”, and he still loves her.
Needless to say, once she discovers he’s alive, she’s rightfully angry.
She’s also in
danger because of the island on which she lives, an island that has belonged to
her family for generations. The solution here is clever!
Unlike Renee, who
had no family of her own, Kristi does have a loving family, which throws
serious complications into the idea of having a relationship with Ace. She
still loves him, but the idea of having to lie to her family is troubling to
her.
There’s also a
foiled bank robbery, and the recruitment of a new guardian—who gets his own
adventure in the next book.
We do not see the
Saint Squad in this book so much, though we do see Kade and Renee, Jim and
Katherine Whitmore, and their FBI agent son Charlie.
Possible objectionable material:
People get shot. People die. People also kiss.
Who might like this book:
Fans of romance, suspense, or both.
On the Run (#4)
Publisher: Covenant Communicaions, Inc.
(October 26, 2020)
ISBN-10: 1524412481
ISBN-13: 978-1524412487
Publisher’s blurb:
As one of the top
investigative journalists in the nation, Elle Jameson has a knack for
uncovering the truth. So when a promising lead points to corruption on a German
military base, Elle anticipates a straightforward assignment. But then she
stumbles upon a deadly conspiracy beyond anything she's faced before, and her
scrutiny does not go unnoticed. She knows too much, and she can't be allowed to
live. With no idea where to turn for help, she does the only thing she can: she
runs.
The Guardians, an elite team of undercover
agents, have one job: safeguard those under their protection. As a new
Guardian, Nolan has just received his first solo assignment to help a young
woman who just survived an assassination attempt. Within minutes of making
contact with the beautiful journalist, however, their location is discovered.
Thus begins a game of cat and mouse spanning the globe as the two work to stay
ahead of a determined assassin. Nolan fights to buy Elle time to complete her
investigation, and what she discovers is a plot that threatens the very fabric
of America. In a desperate race against evil, Nolan and Elle are the only ones
who can prevent global catastrophe.
My thoughts:
We saw Nolan
recruited to the Guardians in the previous book, and here we see his struggles
adapting to his new life as a ghost. Elle is also undercover as an
investigative reporter when she stumbles on what at first appears to be missing
weaponry…but turns out to be a global plot. This one takes us around the world
as the two attempt to stop what could be a devastating crime.
Once again, we
lack the involvement of the Saint Squad, but we do see the Whitmores and some
of the other Guardians. The overall plot about Senator Whitmore’s run for the
presidency is advanced, and the events of this book are picked up again in the
fifth instalment of the Guardians series, which was recently released.
Possible objectionable material:
Kissing happens. Secret agent stuff. People
get shot. People die.
Who might like this book:
Fans of romance, suspense, or both.
Thank you to
NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in
exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Where Her Heart Lies
