Even angels have their demons
Jordan Reiss is well aware that if she was on fire the entire town of Oak Creek would probably go inside and make a sandwich. She can’t blame them. Her father scammed half the town out of their retirement funds, and then she… She did so much worse. She doesn’t expect forgiveness. But she’s back in town with no other options and just wants to be left alone to live on the fierce Wyoming land she’s missed so much during her six years in prison. Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood's callsign may have been Angel, but he'll be anything but to protect his sister. Especially from a pretty ex-con who has somehow weaseled her way into a job at his sister’s new bakery. He doesn't trust Jordan, even with her big gray eyes and quiet smile. But when someone decides its time for Jordan to leave Oak Creek--preferably in a body bag—Gabe will have to put his distrust aside. Jordan needs her own guardian angel. And he happens to be one.
Jordan Reiss and her destiny shattered my heart. Janie Crouch continues the Linear Tactical series with another strong female lead, Jordan, whom I admired while wanting to hug her, fight for her, defend her, and be her friend. Her life has never been easy, the obstacles and challenges on her way either accidents or fault of others, yet she takes the responsibility for them, makes the liability her own, the goal of her life to make restitution for those her father has wronged.
The way the townfolks treat Jordan had me in tears. All the feels come to the surface and the injustice towards Jordan made me want to take action. But through all the trouble, attacks, and aggression she experiences, she stands strong, tough, humble, and kindhearted. I adored the joy Gabriel Collingwood brought to Jordan, all the firsts they experience together melted my heart. Their story is filled with passion, adoration, sweetness, and admiration. Gabriel, the former Navy SEAL, is everything Jordan needs in her life, he is tough, protective, kind, caring, generous, and considerate. The only thing lacking is the one thing Jordan needs the most, being able to trust, blindly, at times. He's in a crossroads in his life, wanting a new direction with the family company, and his own future career, after being ruthlessly betrayed by the people closest to him (read the previous book, Shamrock, in the series), and from that foundation, I could understand and even accept some of his actions and reactions towards the things happening around Jordan. I was able to relate to those deep wounds he has, the lack of faith in the fellow humans, after being so crossly embezzled. But his own experiences pale in the light of what Jordan faces next, and he can only hope they will be able to rescue her, even if she will never be able to forgive him. When the fierce, detrimental, vehement action and suspense meets the fervent, heartfelt, adorable love story all the feels are in the play, the emotions run rapid, and the tears, laughs, sighs, and even good oldfashioned swooning happen. I loved every aspect of the story, it was easy to immerse into, the characters are likable, relatable, people I wanted to spend time with and invest my emotions in. Jordan and Gabriel have to go through some rather deep and dark alleys to find the sunny, peaceful meadows in their lives, yet each moment of that journey is worth the growth and development their experience on the way. A breathtakingly beautiful love story mixed with lethal suspense, a heartbreaking tale of new beginnings and forgiveness. Linear Tactical is proving to be a must-read series, each installment as strong and powerful read as the last one. ~ Five Spoons
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Every mission has a price.
He never meant for her to pay it. Aiden has never left anyone behind. Not a comrade and certainly not an innocent. But when an undercover mission goes wrong, he's forced to abandon a woman trapped in a human trafficking ring. Violet learned brutally that no one is promised a happy ending. She knows Aiden blames himself for his part, but she refuses to let her abduction define the rest of her life. She won’t be a victim again. And she’s going after what she wants: Aiden. Watching Violet transform herself into a fierce warrior is the sexiest thing Aiden has ever seen. The honorable plan would be to stay away from her—let her heal and grow without the shadow of his mistakes clouding her progress—even though every instinct tells him to claim her for his own. But when they discover the danger they thought they’d left behind is closer than ever, they’ll have to confront their fears and fight side-by-side in order to survive.
Linear Tactical series is proving to be all I was hoping it to be, and so much more. The stories are emotional, suspenseful, intense, and riveting. And Aiden and Violet's story, Shamrock, while I was getting the idea from Eagle that it is going to be tense and fierce with all the feels, I was not prepared it to just shatter my heart and soul, in the best possible way that a great book can make that happen.
The images Crouch draws to the minds of the readers are so vivid, so real and raw, and the horrors and terror Violet goes through at the beginning of the story, it left me gasping for air. Yes, this can be a trigger to some, so consider yourself to be warned. But the beautiful thing is, the author doesn't leave the heroine there to suffer and wither away when the readers get to witness this amazing, strong, beautiful soul emerge from the ashes, and grow to be a true heroine, a true champion, a person I admired with my whole heart and being. She struggles through the nightmares, through the attacks, through the memories, and through the bubble wrap, her brother wants to put her in, and the through the distance Aidan wants to give her after everything that she has experienced. Her perseverance, her strength, her endurance, it just multiplies as she develops into the strong, beautiful person she was meant to be. Yes, another fabulous strong female lead from Crouch, I swear, she does them better than the most. Aiden - he is the perfect match to the warrior Violet is. Their minds, souls, and hearts are lined up on the same frequency, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. The age difference between them is brought up several times, but it was hard to see in practice, as they go on with their lives, and develop on the personal front, and grow together as soul mates, and built upon their relationship. And though they are sizzling hot together, burning up the pages, there is more to their relationship than just the hot, physical attraction, as the author proves to the readers. The team is well presented in the story, as are the mates from Violet's brother's team. It is always a joy to see the characters from the previous books and visit with old friends. Shamrock is an impressive, potent, and vigorous story filled with harsh, vehement suspense and action that is perfectly balanced and matched by the fervent and ardent love story that is developing between the protagonists. It will pull out all the feels, maybe even more than you were prepared to give, yet it does not leave you hanging as it delivers well in the smoothly flowing, well-written, heartwrenching story. What a ride! ~ Five Spoons
He’s fighting for what’s right. She’s fighting just to survive… When former Special Forces soldier Finn Bollinger is asked to help with a deadly government mission, he’s up for the task. His job teaching survival skills to civilians at Linear Tactical keeps him sharp, and he can still handle himself in the field. But the Army damn well didn’t teach Finn how to handle Charlotte Devereux. She’s back and she’s all sorts of bad news. Charlotte can’t change the past. Can’t change the choices she made or the fact that they cost her everything. All she can do is endure the fallout. Even if that means putting her future in the hands of Finn, the man who has every right to want to destroy her. And can in so many more ways than he thinks. When the undercover mission goes impossibly wrong, they’ll all have to depend on Charlotte’s strength in order to survive. But everyone has a breaking point He is a true alpha, a protective and fierce warrior who has a heart of gold, filled with kindness, understanding, and patience, especially towards his son Ethan, to whom he would do anything to help him succeed in life and to be happy. Except for letting Charlotte Devereux to tutor him with his reading disability. Because 'Charlie' is the last person he wants in their lives, she's just not be trusted, and he learned that the hard and humiliating way a long time ago. Charlotte Devereux is at the end of her rope. She is broke, homeless, trying to work three jobs and take care of her parents who struggle with her father's illness. She is brave, bold, stubborn, and strong. She knows she wronged Finn all those years ago, but to her, the reasons were good enough, the consequences something she had to face willingly. I genuinely liked Finn and Charlie, their chemistry is strong, the passion between them burning hot and believable. The trust is slow to build again, I kind of understand why Charlie didn't want to open up about her troubles and past decisions, and I absolutely loved Finn's mature attitude, understanding and appreciating how it all had affected his life in a long run. The vindictiveness was left to Charlies' ex-in-laws, yet never was it revealed from their side why they lured Charlie into their family and why the polluted relationship afterward. The suspense stays off the pages until the last quarter of the book, building up to the explosive momentum. When the action finally starts it is vehement, brutal, vicious, and strong, so potent and intense, it left me breathless. The story gives more insight into the team at the Linear Tactical and shows the beginning of the next possible romance coming up in the series [yes, one of my pet peeves, I know]. The way that start of the other relationship is embedded into this tale, so smoothly into the current plot, it is well done and it has its place there, and [thankfully] it doesn't take the limelight away from the main characters, Finn and Charlie, so kudos for that. But Finn and Charlie are such a strong power couple, they are easy to love with their sizzling chemistry, swoon-worthy sweetness, cuteness, and brassiness, so they and their turbulent feelings will stand out even in a crowd. And I loved Ethan, he is such a mini-me of Finn, it was impossible not to love those two protective warriors and their warrior princesses. Deeply emotional, poignant second chance romance in a dangerous, treacherous world of covert ops, illegal arms sales, and strip clubs. Crouch takes the story into the raw side of emotions, baring it all for the infected wounds to have a chance to heal, and anew life to be able to be built. The edgy, dark suspense leads to gory and savage action, where no one is safe, nothing is held back, as the fight for justice leads to the struggle of just surviving. Linear Tactical series is proven to be some of the best work from the author to the date and seems to be more [of everything] in each installment. Definitely a series not to be missed. ~ Five Spoons USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America. Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she's not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.
He’d protect her from any threat…
But what if the biggest threat is him? Doctor Anne Nichols is back in Oak Creek, Wyoming, only because she has no other options. Here, she was always the shy, stuttering girl, invisible to everyone. Except Zac Mackay. The very reason she left in the first place. Zac’s years in Special Forces taught him survival skills, and he’s created a company—Linear Tactical—to teach those skills to others, so they never have to live in fear. Then why is Annie, the last person he’d ever want to hurt, afraid of him? Zac’s determined to wipe the fear from the eyes of the woman who has never been far from his mind. And fix the mistakes--his mistakes—that put that look there in the first place. But a predator has set his sights on Annie. And now survival skillswill become much more than lessons…
Cyclone is the book one in a new intense indie published series from Janie Crouch that will highlight the brotherhood of men in military service and demonstrate the devastation and exhilaration of finding your soulmate and completely submerge yourself in loving adoration of that one person.
The painful and awkward history between Anne Nichols and Zac Mackay, especially that one night after Zac's wife, Anne's best friend, died, had a drastic influence on both of their lives. The wounds in Anne's heart and soul are deep, and to face Zac again is devastating. I liked Anne, throughout the story, through some fierce battles both emotional and physical, she finds her inner strength and the warrior woman inside her. The shyness and stammering have always made her seek the shadows in social settings, but her precise professionalism as a doctor gives her self-confidence and nearly another persona that she can put on to face the challenges of her demanding career. Zac loved deeply and lost everything at a young age when a car accident took away his wife and young son. Over the years he has dealt with the pain, he has faced the demons of sorrow and accepted that part of him will always miss them. But what he did to Anne during the most painful moments of his life, is something he has to deal with now that the memories of that night are surfaced again. The romance between Anne and Zac pulls the heartstrings, it is passionate, the ardent love scenes engulfing the mind and heart of the readers. Anne has a big, loving, forgiving heart, and I can only admire her for it. Zac has used to get away with his charm, but now he really has to put the effort into the game to convince Anne he is serious about building a relationship with her. The suspenseful elements come into the front and center of the story at the third part of the tale. There are severe, brutal violence against a woman, detailed sexual assaults during an attempted rape that can be a trigger to some. The emotional depth of the aftermath of the first attack brought tears to my eyes, the raw pain and fear are tangible as is the fragility of life. With this fervent second chance romance, a story that is well written and has wonderful natural flow in the tense scenes and situations of the story, the author introduces an intriguing and charming cast of characters, whets the appetite for more to come in the future books, and I for one, can't wait to see where Ms. Crouch will take the series. A gripping, exciting, alluring, and compelling story that entertained, a great start for a new series ~ Four Spoons
An agent will do anything to take down a terrorist.
Even if that means using a woman as his weapon. To locate a terrorist, Ren McClement must find the criminal’s “dead” wife Natalie. His plan: use the innocent beauty as bait. But when his duplicity leads them into grave danger, Ren reveals his secret to Natalie...and his passion for her. Will furious Natalie be able to forgive his lie? And will they get to the mastermind before he unleashes mass destruction?
An ardent love story and an explosive finale to the riveting romantic suspense series that has kept the readers on the edge fearing for the protagonists' lives, while swooning over the ardent romance.
Natalie's survival instinct and strength to withstand the horrible abuse her ex-husband Freihoff, the searched after killer and domestic terrorist, done on her made me admire her while her destiny broke my heart. To think that she was so whole, so strong, still standing and taking care of herself after everything she went through is nothing sort of amazing. One of the things that I truly admire about Janie Crouch's writing is the way she builds her heroines to be tough, capable, smart, independent women, with an inner strength that carries them through the worst possible scenarios life can put them in. Ren had a bit worried at the beginning, I admit, but I warmed up to him soon, when I witnessed his kindness, his good heart, his struggles with honesty while working undercover, and his aim to protect and guard Natalie with everything in him. The sweet and luscious love story developing between Ren and Natalie is the center of the story, capturing my heart, making me sigh because of the tangible, strong connection between them, the way they get each other, and oddly enough, the trust that was building between despite the circumstances. The secrets Ren had to keep to accomplish his mission, to stop the terrorist attack yet keep Natalie safe while getting her co-operation gave the story intensity and put the whole situation on a frail edge that could crumble at any moment. The wild nature surrounding them while on hiding put their endurance on a test, yet it is the threat from the fellow humans that can end their lives before they have a chance to explore the passion and feelings flaming between them. The smoothly flowing and well-written story pulls you in, brings all the feels into the surface, and makes you fall in love with the characters. I loved how the whole Omega team was present in the tale while the suspense was fierce, each doing what they are the best at. They pulled Natalie into their fold and brought me in tears with the support and kindness they showed her. With the delightfully tender and gentle love story for the founder of the Omega sector, the agency bit farewell to the readers, with the final showdown to capture the terrorist that has plagued them for so long, tortured themselves and their loved ones and even killed their own. Now I want to go and binge-read the whole series again... ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Is the woman he once loved…
The traitor they’re searching for? Former Special Forces soldier Jace Eakin must find the mole inside Omega who’s leaking intel to a terrorist mastermind. Despite their complicated history and the fact that she is keeping a secret, he can’t believe it’s SWAT team leader Lillian Muir. As they give in to long-denied passion, Jace vows to protect Lillian with his life. But he’s been wrong about her before…
What an amazing story that left me gasping for air!
Armed Response is one of those books that had me hugging my Kindle after I finished reading it, with tears in my eyes, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Janie Crouch delivers another hair-raising, heart-pumping romantic suspense story that not only had me on the edge because of the growing intensity of the strain of the threats of the serial killer and the mole in Omega, but went so deep and wide on the emotional side that I could not help being moved by the beauty of it. SWAT team leader Lillian Muir and Former Special Forces soldier Jace Eakin has a connection and history parallel to none. Twelve years apart yet the deep bond of their souls is still strong, its still there to pull them towards each other like magnets. From their troubled teenage days, they know each other, they get each other, they respect each other and even trust each other in a unique level, despite the past hurt, misunderstandings, and broken loyalties. Lillian is one kickass woman, she can win her way in a close combat with a man twice her size. She is a respected and trusted member of the SWAT team, her team knows she will carry her weight, she will do her part, she is equal, capable, and able to perform the demanding job trusted upon her. Her soul might be broken in her past, her body might have endured all the abuse one can take, but she has risen from the despair, she is not letting the demons and monsters of her teenage years to rule her life now. I loved her guts, her strength, her self-discipline, her humbleness, her intensity, her fearless attitude. My heart broke for her and her past, it ached for the pain she had to endure, yet she came out of the nightmare as a stronger, capable person, who is able and willing to face the demons, even fight them again, if that what it takes. And Jace, he was just the perfect person to stand by Tiger Lily as she faces the world. I loved his dedication, his kind heart, his loyalty, his charm, leadership abilities, the take charge and the responsibility when needed. His fight and compassion for the suffering veterans left me in awe and his understanding of who Lillian is, and what she wanted, his patience, his tenderness, his gentleness, and passion was just what Lillian needed to help her heal, to help mend the wounds of the past, to have someone in her corner, and support each other through life's hurdles. The story has such an easy and smooth flow to it, it was a pleasure to read. The constantly intensifying fear and threats gave the tale a sharp and strong edge, with the flares of action feeding the sizzle of the tension. The love story between Lillian and Jace is heartbreakingly beautiful and fragile, while sensual, ardent, and tenderly loving. A powerful, poignant, and passion filled tale that took my breath away. ~Five Spoons!
Working together would bring down a killer
But her secrets could tear them apart… Hayley Green never wanted to see Omega special agent Cain Bennett again. Ever. He seduced her, then sent her to prison for hacking, and Hayley’s only just started piecing her life back together. Except now Cain needs Hayley’s help to catch a murderer. Their past is colliding with their still-smoldering attraction…and the only thing more dangerous than the killer is the secrets Hayley’s been keeping. Omega Sector: Under Siege
Major Crimes is an emotion-filled story, with a rather tragic love story in heartbreaking circumstances.
The Omega Sector is vigorously hunting for the mole whos aid to Damien Freihof, the man determined to hurt, damage, and ultimately eliminate the Omega Sector, is putting everyone's lives in danger. To get the information they need, Omega has to get one of the best hackers there is, and that is where Hayley Green's name comes up. Thankfully, Haley is out of prison now, but will she help Omega Sector, considering it was Omega special agent Cain Bennett, her then-boyfriend, who arrested her and sent her to the prison in the first place. This story has two-fold suspense going on, that brings tension, action, and severe threat to Haley and her loved ones. Dangerous, high-powered players feel the threat of Hayley's abilities to find well-hidden information on the darkness of the web and don't shy away from taking lives to keep their lucrative, illegal business going. Hayley is desperate to right the wrongs she did in the past, she had her reasons, but she crossed some lines that never can be erased. Helping Omega will aid her financially, but also be an atonement for her prior actions. Cain has always walked the straight line, he believes there are rules, laws, and regulations for a reason, and they are set to be followed. He knows he is not completely innocent, he knows his previous actions with Hayley doesn't muster praise, but he needs her help, desperately. And sometimes desperation makes you act in a way you wouldn't otherwise. Even though there is chemistry between Hayley and Cain, the kind of connection that comes from the long history between them, there is a lot of work that needs to be done for any kind of trust to be formed. Cain drove me crazy at times with his pompous attitude. The story got me emotionally involved from the very start, I might have yelled at Cain on occasion while reading it. I admired Hayley's ability for forgiveness, her big heart, and survival instincts. With complex characters, with menace and peril all around them, the race to stay alive, to find the mole, and capture the people running havoc on Hayley's life keeps the tale hopping, moving on a fast pace as their hustle to get answers and scramble to stay alive. An important piece of a puzzle in the hunt for Damien Freihof and his aiding mole at Omega. An entertaining, rapidly moving, poignant, and intense tale ~ Four Spoons
One perfect weekend changed his life And now he’d die to protect his unborn child… Two months ago, Roman Weber and Keira Spencer spent a breathless weekend together. But her sordid past and his privileged upbringing conspired against any happily-ever-after. When Keira is targeted by a killer, Omega Sector assigns Roman to safeguard her—and possibly win her back. Then Keira reveals she’s pregnant, and Roman knows the killer must be stopped…if they ever hope to become a family. Omega Sector: Under Siege The Omega Sector's intense and riveting fight for survival continues as Damien Freihof has made it his mission in life to make the members of the Omega Sector suffer like he has suffered. Damien Freihof has made the battle personal, and it seems that the elite agency is crumbling under the attacks coming from all sides. Most of the characters in this story are old acquaintances in the series, and I would recommend reading the previous books before reading this one, to grasp the whole picture. Not just with the malice, Damien Freihof is causing, but the female lead is also introduced previously, and to get the whole backstory, in my opinion, is rather important in this case. Keira Spencer is an amazing heroine. She is as genuine as they come, she is a tough and strong woman, she is not afraid to stand up for herself, she is a survivor, and she is a role model, philanthropist, smart, independent lady who has learned the hard way to take care of herself. Keira is my favorite part of the story, she won my heart over when she was first introduced, and she was shining in this tale, as well. I liked Keira and Roman Weber together, they seemed to have such a special, good, solid, sizzling, connection at the beginning of the tale. The chemistry was there, the spark was more like an inferno, and they both were really into each other. Until they were not. One of my pet peeves in romance novels is the grown people who let their meddling parents influence their lives, especially if those parents are snobbish, arrogant, and/or condescending like Roman's mother. I'm not going to get more into details so I don't give away anything, but his mother never won me over, after everything she did. And Roman, well, there's a rant here that would give away the whole suspense plot of the story, so I just say that he is a very lucky man, indeed. Ah, do not get me wrong I did enjoy the book. I was clued into the story, it is compelling, it touched my emotions and broke my heart a bit. It is engrossing, filled with twists, and it fast paced even though it takes over a longer period of a time. The story is filled with dangerous attacks, that puts some of our favorite characters into life and death situations, that had me gasping, and worried sick for their survival. I enjoyed the story immensely, it was a great continues to the series, and I can't wait to read the last installment, next month, to find out how it all will be solved. And Keira, she will definitely go to the hall of fame as one of my favorite heroines of all times. That survival instinct accompanied by the desire and will to help and better other people's lives, the smarts and guts, she is a true 'shero' and every time I think of her, the song Super Woman by Alicia Keys plays in my mind. She deserves all the best in the world, and at the end, Roman might just grow to fit that spot perfectly. What will happen to the Omega Sector? Will it crumble and fall at the multiple of attacks by the criminal mastermind? Are they able to catch the killer, the one person who has hurt them and their loved ones? Will there be Omega Sector left after Damien Freihof is done and ready with them? The hurt and injured agents that we have grown to care for, what will be their future and destiny, will the recover fully, will they all survive? So many questions left open at the end, and I can't wait to find out what will happen! ~ Four Spoons
Published in 2014 - 2015 by Harlequin Intrigue
he never expected to see her old flame again. Or be kidnapped by him.
The wrong place at the wrong time; that's the only way Sophia Reardon could explain her predicament. She wasn't even an FBI field agent and now she was being taken hostage. By her ex-boyfriend Cameron Branson. The moment Sophia walked into his undercover operation, Cameron warned her that his employers would want to break her. So keeping her by his side, pretending not to have feelings for her, was the best way to maintain his role in the dangerous organization, and the only way to keep them both safe. Because if they got their hands on her, she could expose him and his secrets. And then they'd no longer have any reason to keep her around.
From the page one Infiltrator pulled me into the dark, edgy, and dangerous undercover world. The author's storytelling gifts come out in the captivating, additively smooth flow of the tale, with humorous and witty dialog bits, that makes you laugh out loud when you least expect it.
The fierce, energetic action kept its hold on me. The encounters with the criminal group, DS-13, are sharp and intense.The kind of confrontations that has a gut-wrenching effect, and makes you bite your nails off. The romance between Sofia and Cameron is at times so sweet and tender, while their attraction and passion for each other are distinct and scorching. So many swoon-worthy moments in the story, that made me smile, and are just adorable! The Bronson siblings are entertaining and boisterous. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out and read their stories. Smart, charming, and delightful characters, with the edge-of-your-seat action ~ Five spoons all the way!
THE CLOCK WAS TICKING, THE ENEMY WAS WATCHING…
At first it looked like a glorified babysitting job: safeguard a scientist while she created a countermeasure to neutralize a dangerous weapon that had fallen into the wrong hands. But when Dr. Megan Fuller's life was threatened, undercover agent Sawyer Branson knew the enemy was closing in. Sticking by Megan 24/7 wasn't something he took lightly, even if Megan didn't seem to appreciate his constant presence. For a man used to getting any woman he wanted, Megan was a challenge he was coming to enjoy. Because beneath her boxy lab coat and pinned-back hair lay a brilliant and beautiful warrior. And before long, Sawyer's determination to save the world was matched only by the sudden need to make Megan his.
The intensity of the power of ten, mixed with steamy, yet tender and sweet romance.
The humorous, fun, charming Sawyer is easy to like. Megan is a bit shy and a mess in the social settings, as well as so smart, she is able to create something that could destroy the world as we know it. The way their attraction is described, slowly growing and intensifying, is alluring. Yes, there is hot passion, but mostly it is the tender caring that melts your heart, so sweet you can't help but smile. They are super adorable together. They make every moment together swoon-worthy, and when Megan says, after yet another attack on them, 'I think I might be broken' my heart totally went for her, and the devastation and defeat she must be feeling. The suspense is intense, in a typical Crouch way. The evil plan of DS 13 and the possible help from someone in Omega, is coming to the light. Life-threatening situation after another, the tension builds, it's tangible. I absolutely enjoy reading a story, where I feel I am right there in the scene, feeling what the characters are feeling, seeing what is happening, as the case is here. All the suspicion, deception, desperation, defeat, fear, and anxiety in the air kept the hold on me. Fantastic continues in the Omega Sector series where the war on terror continues, and the Branson siblings keep falling in love. Even though this story continues where Infiltration, Omega #1 left, it is a stand-alone novel. But the reader will get more out of the story, having that in the background. ~ Five spoons!
Posing as a married couple to save the world was easy compared to the very real feelings between them…
As Bob and Lisa Sinclair, Omega Sector agents Evan Karcz and Juliet Branson were a formidable couple—until a brutal attack left Juliet traumatized. But with a powerful crime boss selling military secrets, the safety of millions depends on the undercover operatives. It's up to Evan to rehabilitate Juliet…and not fail her as he did on the mission that still haunts him. Evan's strategy is to be near Juliet night and day to practice posing as a loving couple. But soon he realizes there's a sizzling passion between them. And it's being threatened by forces stronger than they ever realized. With a killer stalking Lisa Sinclair, her "husband" knows he'd risk his cover—and his life—to protect her.
Vivid and intense action mixed with red-hot romance, that left me breathless and there might have been some tears.
I could sense the darkness and despair of Juliet, the emotions shadowing and tormenting her, after the past opp ending terribly. The self-doubt, angst, and fear constantly present with her. Evan's guilt and regret are palpable, with the feelings of failure, and responsibility for the attack towards Juliet. It doesn't take long, when the new operation starts, that the intensity and danger of the work Omega Sector do, step in. The action is thrilling, the threats to their lives real, and the risk of exposure constant. Not only do they have to deal with the dangerous opp at hand, but the monsters of Juliet's past were taunting her with threatening emails, bringing even more jeopardy to the already tense situation. The unity, support, teamwork and protectiveness of the family is a delight. I loved visiting with the siblings from the previous books in the series. The connection between Evan and Juliet is beautiful, tender, and fragile. The trust, devotion, kindness, and care are adorable, the zeal and fervor of their passion unmistakable. I loved to see the development in Juliet, as she leaves the nightmares of her past, and finds her inner agent again, one step at the time. The story has a beautifully crafted plot, where all the pieces of the puzzle fit into the place at the end, with elements that keep the reader guessing. The tension in the story is built up brilliantly, and the attraction and passion between Evan and Juliet is constant smoldering fire, that burst into flames at the right moments. The images of the event are vividly painted, lively in the mind of a reader. The final climax of the story took my breath away, and yes, there were tears in my eyes. Can't wait for the next installment of the series, Dylan's story, thankfully out already next month. All the stories in the Omega Sector are easily read as stand-alone novels, but I think you will get more out of the story if you have read the previous ones. Untraceable is another home run from Janie Crouch, truly recommend for all romantic suspense fans ~ Five Spoons!!
He'd been hired to transport precious cargo--and it put a beautiful twist in his solitary life
Former operative turned pilot Dylan Branson has one mission: deliver vital codes to Omega Sector before millions of lives are lost. Surprisingly, the codes reside in the photographic memory of Shelby Keelan, a beautiful computer expert who's so far survived two murder attempts. Used to doing things solo, Dylan will get Shelby to Washington, DC, then walk away. So he's stunned to discover she's as much a loner as he is--and how much that appeals to him. Now, with both their lives in danger after his plane is sabotaged midair, Dylan no longer thinks of Shelby as just a job. Or that he'll be able to let her go once it's over.
I love this series! And I have to admit, Dylan and Shelby just got to me, they are characters that are easy, for me, to relate to. Shelby has some quirks that made me smile with understanding, the need to be alone, needing your space, being too direct and not a fan of chit-chat, and loving numbers, having sass... She is amazing!
Dylan is a bit of a grouch, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, protecting himself from getting close to people, since his wife and unborn baby died. But he does redeem himself in the story, and there are several swoon-worthy moments, that just made me sigh. Dylan's better qualities come through loud and clear as well, his loyalty, protectiveness, caring and wanting to fix things for other. The other Branson siblings from the previous stories also play a part in this book, and Sawyer & Megan have a moment that just melted my heart. This book is easy to be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend also the previous books in the series. The story has a flow that caught me from the start and certainly kept it until the end. The build-up in the tale is smooth, from the moment Dylan and Shelby meet, the connection is there, the chemistry is in place, and they just click, feel comfortable, at home, within each other's company. Then the suspenseful tension takes a hold of the story and keeps building up, as Dylan and Shelby found themselves again and again in life and death situations on their way to DC, and end up at the mercy of the wilderness. All the events and murder attempts prove, that Omega Sector does have a mole, and he is most likely high up in the hierarchy. It takes all the Branson siblings, with the help of Megan and Shelby, to risk their lives while fighting against the horrid terror attack about to happen. I was swept away by this story, both times I read it. It has fast action, slowly building terror, fascinating and charming characters, and some of the best romantic scenes, that even with the second reading left me in tears! ~ Five Spoons!
First, I want to express my gratefulness to the readers following my website, to the authors trusting their eARCs to my hands knowing they will get an honest opinion, and to the publishing houses that has granted me the access to the eARCS via NetGalley, Edelweiss, and tour companies. It has been a whirlwind year with over 300 reviews, hundreds of excerpts, promos, and giveaways, countless hours of reading and preparing, building up blog posts, and deciding on the books to read and promote. The highlight of my year, if not of my life, was the week in Orlando participating in RWA. I am thankful for the warm welcome I got there from the authors and the bloggers, and for the authors to allow me to go a complete fangirl on them on several occasion... There are some pictures to witness these moments (on Instagram) yet there were, even more, moments when I was so baffled by the honor to meet these authors that I completely forgot to even think about taking a picture. This past year I had the opportunity to read some amazing books and follow some great series. I am going to make a list of recommendations for books and series I adored making it easier to have that as a reference to those asking about my favorite books or authors. I have based this list on the spoons I have given over the year 2017 and to the books saved on a file 'best of 2017' on my Kindle. I hope you can use it as a reference 'what to read' or in search of new authors to follow, series to check out. They are in no particular order, just mentioned in the order they appear in the file. Hope you enjoy it! ~ Cheers for 2017! Contemporary RomanceWomen's LitRomantic Suspense
He knows he failed her once before. This time he's determined to protect her by any means necessary...
Former police detective Zane Wales won't let history repeat itself. He couldn't save the woman he loved from a brutal assault, so he left the force -- and Caroline Gill's life. But now a psychopath has her in his vengeful sights. And the only way Zane can keep the strong-willed paramedic safe is to stay close 24/7--even as their reignited desire burns out of control. Caroline can finally face down her past by helping Zane catch this perp. And she'll give Zane all the passionate healing he needs to show they have a future together. But a danger they never saw coming will turn their second chance into a lethal, inescapable trap... Omega Sector: Under Siege
As a big fan of Janie Crouch's writing, I am so excited to say this - Protector's Instinct is my favorite book of hers! I absolutely loved the storyline, the intensity of the suspense and action was high, the emotions were raw and edgy. The whole story and the characters had depth and development that had me thrilled, the fervor of the feelings between Zane Wales and Caroline Gill took my breath away.
Of course, we met Zane and Caroline in Fully Committed, were the discord of their relationship was obvious. I have been waiting to read their story ever since, and this was even better than I hoped for. Caroline is a kick-ass heroine. Oh, she is broken and devastated by the attack eighteen months ago, but she is tough, resilient, strong survivor that I admired immensely. The rape and its consequences were dealt in such real and raw yet respectful way. The angst and fear were palpable, as were the determination to overcome and heal from the past. Zane Wales is a troubled hero with a hot temper yet there is kindness, consideration, generosity, and protectiveness that shines through. His feelings for Caroline are immensely deep, there is nothing he wouldn't do for her. Their always volatile and fragile relationship is filled with hot passion and sweet devotion. With sharp and vivid images the author paints the story of fierce, energetic romance and brutal, savage action. The attacks against the Omega Sector and their loved ones are bold and enraged. It is obvious that no one is safe, that the culprit is craving for collateral damage. He is spreading his lies, and recruiting vulnerable, aggravated assistance for his vicious attacks. Volatile action and heated, intense romance with tangible, luscious emotions delivers an alluring tale that was impossible to put down until the explosive yet satisfying ending. Loved it! ~ Five Spoons! Daddy Defender (Book 1 in the series)
Janie Crouch loves to read – almost exclusively romance – and has been doing so since middle school. She cut her teeth on Harlequin (Mills & Boon) Romances when she lived in Wales, UK as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult. Her favorite authors include: Linda Howard, Nora Roberts, and Elizabeth Lowell.
Janie recently relocated with her husband and four children to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she’s not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie-watching, knitting and adventure (obstacle) racing. Janie completed an Ironman Triathlon in 2014. Most of all, she loves to laugh and smile and count her blessings. And her blessings are many. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram | BookBub
Daddy Defender
Omega Sector: Under Siege- Book 1
by Janie Crouch
Genre: Romantic Suspense
He was a man on a mission, one that included a beautiful woman and a little girl he'd die defending…
What a serious case of mistaken identity. Ashton Fitzgerald is no unassuming handyman but a highly trained sharpshooter intent on protecting Summer Worrall and her baby daughter. The Omega SWAT member has a debt to pay and he isn't about to let Summer out of his sights.
For someone else has set their own sights on the lovely widow. Her unexpected relationship with Ashton has put Summer and her child straight into a madman's line of fire. Suddenly a mission to make amends becomes Ashton's quest to defend this little family with his very life.
“Ashton, it means the world to me that you would come here to fix this first thing in the morning.”
Ashton Fitzgerald, top sharpshooter for Omega Sector Critical Response Division’s SWAT team, had his head and half his large torso under the kitchen sink of a condo unit in Masking Ridge, a community just south of Colorado Springs. He knew Summer Worrall, owner of said sink, didn’t expect much of a response from him, so he just grunted as he put a little more elbow grease into a stripped nut on her piping. “I don’t know when it started leaking, but it was definitely bad when Chloe got me up this morning.” As if in agreement, nineteen-month-old Chloe began gurgling in her mother’s arms and clapping loudly. She obviously wanted to be let down onto the floor to play with Ashton, but Summer was keeping her out of the way. “It’s no problem,” Ashton muttered. Actually, it was a problem. He was going to be late into Omega Sector’s SWAT training facility. Not that there would be any true harm in that; the team was just running exercises today unless something real came in. But as soon as they realized why Ashton was late, because Summer Worrall thought he was the maintenance man again, they were going to tease him mercilessly. Again. They all knew or at least knew of Summer and Chloe. Her husband had been killed in a hostage situation gone wrong nearly two years ago. Then she’d been kidnapped by a psychopath eight months ago in another incident involving the Omega Sector’s Critical Response Division, an elite interagency task force with some of the country’s best agents. So no one on the team actually begrudged Ashton helping out the young widow. What they found so hilarious was the fact that Summer thought he was the handyman for the entire condo complex. And Ashton could admit he was a pretty mechanically minded guy. Growing up on his parents’ farm in Wyoming had given him a lot of skills with his hands. He could fix most household problems, given the time and tools. “I think I’ve got this under control,” he said. “It’s nothing big, just some piping that needed to be realigned and tightened.” “Oh good. I didn’t want to turn a big, formal request in to Joe.” Joe Matarazzo, the main hostage negotiator at Omega Sector, who also happened to be a billionaire, owned the condos in which Summer and Chloe lived. That’s how this crazy misunderstanding had started in the first place. Summer had needed a handyman and called Joe. Joe had said he’d send someone trustworthy right over. But then Joe had an emergency with Omega and asked Ashton if he could take care of Summer’s problem. Instead of calling someone, Ashton had just gone over to Summer’s home himself. He’d had no intention of misleading Summer. Had even introduced himself as Joe’s friend. Evidently she’d taken that to mean Joe’s handyman friend. When he’d given her his number, telling her to call him if anything else came up, Summer had taken him up on that offer. Eight times in the last few months. Now Ashton had no idea how to tell her the truth. And that wasn’t even the worst secret he was keeping from her. He grimaced and worked his way out from under the sink. “Okay, I think I’ve got it all fixed under here. I just need to turn your water back on in the basement.” Ashton pulled himself the rest of the way out from under the sink and stood. He smiled at Summer, trying not to let himself be taken aback again by her beauty. Petite, with rich auburn hair, pale skin with freckles dusting her cheeks and nose. It was colder weather now, but Ashton knew from the tank tops she wore in warmer temps that her shoulders were dusted with freckles, also. But he definitely did not want to be thinking about her bare shoulders or how he’d love to play connect the dots on them with his fingers or—even better—his lips. Summer wouldn’t be interested in any law-enforcement lips after what she’d been through. Especially his. “Ah-ta!” Little Chloe squealed and threw herself forward from her mother’s arms, reaching for Ashton. He caught her, taking her from Summer and pulling her to his chest. “Sorry,” Summer murmured. “Don’t worry about it.” It happened every time he came by. Little Chloe loved to see him. Not able to say the word Ashton, she’d taken to calling him Ah-ta last month. “Hey, gorgeous.” He smiled at the baby. “You shouldn’t be so quick to jump out of your mama’s arms.” He knew he wouldn’t be. Chloe put both her tiny hands on his cheeks. “Ah-ta.” “Yeah, but I might not always be there to catch you.” He adjusted his tool belt so her little feet didn’t get snagged on anything. The belt didn’t bother him at all. It was quite similar to the SWAT utility belt he wore in other circumstances. “Ashton, thanks again for making this your first stop. I’m sure you have other places to be. Other units higher on the priority list than mine.” He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. It was no trouble coming by here.” Summer’s green eyes filled with distress. “You mean you only came here for me? You’re working out of another complex today? I’m so sorry.” Ashton never knew what to say, so he said as little as possible. “Yeah, I’m working at another complex today.” That wasn’t technically untrue; the SWAT training facility was definitely another complex. “Don’t worry. I never mind coming by here.” Ugh. Now he sounded like he was about to ask her out for a date. He was sure she’d shut that down real quick. “I-I just mean…” he trailed off. Was he actually stuttering now? She must think he was a complete moron. She touched him on the arm. “I understand and I truly appreciate it.” She reached over and tickled Chloe. “This little wiggle worm does too. She always loves to see you.” “I’ll just take her downstairs with me to turn the water back on. Is that okay?” Chloe was currently playing with his ears. Pulling on them with her surprisingly strong little fingers. “Sure,” Summer smiled. “Give my arms a break for a few minutes. I’ll put this stuff back under the sink.” Ashton turned with the baby and began walking down to the basement. He knew where it was from a hot-water-heater problem a few months before. As a matter of fact, for a newer condo, this place tended to have a lot of issues. But he definitely wouldn’t complain. It gave him a chance to see Summer. Even if it was as the handyman. Little Chloe began jabbering to him in her baby language, laughing as he bounced her as he went down the stairs. He didn’t know why the little girl liked him so much, but he would take it while he could. Someday she would find out Ashton was the reason her dad had died. Then neither she nor her mom would want anything to do with him. BOOKS & SPOONS REVIEW HERE
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: romantic suspense, heavy on the romance.
Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she's not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys traveling, long-distance running, and movies of all kinds.
Her favorite quote: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing." - Helen Keller.
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He was a man on a mission, one that included a beautiful woman and a little girl he'd die defending...
What a serious case of mistaken identity. Ashton Fitzgerald is no unassuming handyman but a highly trained sharpshooter intent on protecting Summer Worrall and her baby daughter. The Omega SWAT member has a debt to pay and he isn't about to let Summer out of his sights. For someone else has set their own sights on the lovely widow. Her unexpected relationship with Ashton has put Summer and her child straight into a madman's line of fire. Suddenly a mission to make amends becomes Ashton's quest to defend this little family with his very life. Omega Sector: Under Siege
They say don't judge the book by its cover, but OH MY GOODNESS, if this is not the best cover ever! And the book does deliver what the cover promises. Daddy Defender is filled with riveting, knuckle-biting suspense and action intertwined with adorable, sweet, and swoon-worthy scenes.
Ashton Fitzgerald is fun, kind, protective, and good with his hands. His growing feelings towards Summer Worrall and her cute little daughter are a well-known secret within Omega. Yet the convoluted history between Ashton's job and Summer's past keeps him from being open and honest with her, keeping the walls in place between them and their feelings towards each other hidden. Because Ashton has brought Summer's feelings to the surface again, emotions that have been deeply buried since her husband was killed. The connection and chemistry between Ashton and Summer are obvious and palpable, as is the connection Ashton has to Summer's daughter. These three form an inseparable unit, that nothing can destroy, no matter how much they try. The whole cast of characters are charming, likable, and attractive, the kind of people you want to hang out with, to get to know better. I found them entertaining and enjoyable, wishing there would have been a bit more insight to Ashton and Summer's personalities, as they were fumbling with their emotions and future possibilities. Maybe I just couldn't get enough of them... The continues threat and deadly force attacks towards the Omega team, Ashton, and Summer keeps the strain and stress high, gripping the attention and escalating the terror and angst. It is obvious the culprits do not care if there is collateral damage, as long as they manage to cripple the Omega, and ultimately destroy it because revenge is the game they like to play. Even though the story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, there is a sort of a cliffhanger, as the mastermind behind the desire to end the existence of Omega Sector is still at large, and the story will - apparently - continue through the series. A mesmerizing and sharp story with vivid images, dynamic characters, and powerful suspense and action combined with dreamy, lovely, and delectable romance and the cutest little girl with her hero in the middle of the battle... ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Janie Crouch loves to read – almost exclusively romance – and has been doing so since middle school. She cut her teeth on Harlequin (Mills & Boon) Romances when she lived in Wales, UK as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult. Her favorite authors include: Linda Howard, Nora Roberts, and Elizabeth Lowell.
Janie recently relocated with her husband and four children to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she’s not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie-watching, knitting and adventure (obstacle) racing. Janie completed an Ironman Triathlon in 2014. Most of all, she loves to laugh and smile and count her blessings. And her blessings are many. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Survival Instinct
Instinct #3 By: Janie Crouch Releasing July 11, 2017 Self-Published
The voices in her head have decided to kill her.
Most people joke about hearing voices in their heads. For Chloe Jeffries, they’re real. And as the creative force behind one of the most popular shows on television, she has used the constant flood of voices in her mind to her advantage: fuel for entertainment. But now one of the voices has decided it wants Chloe all for itself. Ex-Special Forces soldier Shane Westman just wants to make it back to Wyoming to begin to heal from the horrors of war. The last thing he needs, even as a favor for a good friend, is to take on bodyguard duty of a flighty television writer. But once he does, he realizes there are threats at play he doesn’t understand. And the woman who has somehow begun to thaw his frozen heart is in desperate danger from a menace they can’t see, but is always close. The voice that will never allow Chloe to escape alive.
With escalating tension and palpable fear, the Survival Instinct takes the reader for a wild ride of paranormal abilities, the backstage drama of a television series, and an insistent, life-threatening, stalker hiding amongst the friendly faces.
Shane Westman is a troubled hero, the ex-Special Forces soldier lost his team in Afganistan and his will to fight in deadly battles. Shane was so easy to like, he is a solid man, trustworthy, kind and considerate. A man who takes a command of his surroundings, who is willing to risk his life to protect others. He has wrapped his heart with 'ice' to protect himself from feelings and hurt, something that has been a fault in his life before it turns into a blessing around Chloe Jeffries. Chloe is a feisty and sassy lady who can cuss like a sailor. One-third of the triplets with paranormal abilities, she can hear people's thoughts, an ability she has learned to take advantage of as the creative director of the hit paranormal television series. Until recently, when the voices took a disturbing route, and slowly but surely started to kill her with the intensity of the emotion behind them. Only around Shane does she find moments of peace, as his 'ice' wraps around her, and the cold quiet takes over Chloe's mind. I liked Chloe and Shane together, the connection between them is true, the chemistry is amazing. Shane understands her and her gift. He looks at her and sees his equal, there is nothing odd or weird about her voices to him. His practical way to see life and people give a sensible explanation to Chloe's gift, something that helped me as a non-paranormal fan to understand and accept it as well. The suspense part of the tale is focused on the investigation of the increasing death threats. The more information is gathered, the more tension is on the scenes, until the explosive, fierce, ending that makes you take notice. After the scene for the story is set, the pace of the tale picks up and delivers an entertaining, sharp, and intensive tale with tangible emotions raging in savage action and in enticing romance. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Chloe Jeffries looked over at her creative team. The Days End team was tired. Worried. The stalker had seen to that. Not to mention all the new bodyguards had definitely put a damper on the creative energy usually surrounding the show. But the new guy coming in definitely wouldn’t.
“The studio is sending in a security expert to coordinate security around here and to investigate our friendly neighborhood stalker,” Chloe told them. “We’re supposed to give him access to anything he needs. I’ve been assured that he will fit in just fine and will not hamper our artistic energy in any way. We won’t even know he’s here.” “Like that guy walking towards us who definitely doesn’t scream I’m-a-Navy-SEAL or anything?” Travis’ eyebrow was raised so far it looked like it had found a new home in his hairline. Chloe stared at the man in question. Didn’t seem able to turn away from him even if she wanted to. His long legs were encased in perfectly creased khaki pants, a collared light blue shirt tucked in—also perfectly—at the waist. His broad shoulders were covered in a tailored suit jacket under which Chloe was willing to bet all of this year’s salary lay a shoulder holster for a gun. His posture screamed military. The way he carried himself — the set of his shoulders and lift of his chest. Alert. Deadly. Ready. But impressive as his body was, it was his face that drew her more. There was nothing pretty about him. His face was rugged to the point of being harsh. His jaw already holding some stubble even though it wasn’t even yet lunchtime. And she had no doubt Mr. Military Man had shaved this morning, unquestionably during his perfect morning routine. His dark hair was cut close to his head, as if he couldn’t quite decide whether to keep it military short or go for a more relaxed style. His eyes were hidden behind aviator sunglasses, but Chloe knew he saw everything. Knew he saw her and that if she stopped him right at this moment, blindfolded him and asked him to tell her where everyone was, he’d be able to do so with astounding accuracy, even though there were more than a dozen people milling around that he hadn’t looked at directly. This man was the epitome of cool, calm, and collected. She could feel the former radiating off him. Wanted to close her eyes and sink towards him. Her brain, always under such constant onslaught with the thoughts of others, and particularly the one voice that had been searing through her mind so agonizingly lately, wanted to bask in this man’s ice. Wanted to douse herself in it. But she couldn’t. Because while she had no doubt this man would be able to organize the hell out of security and unquestionably catch the stalker and freeze him with his ice-beams after leaping tall buildings in a single bound, there was no way he wasn’t going to hamper the creative energy of the set. Energy that Chloe relied on not only to make Day’s End the greatest show on television, but to keep her own sanity. He was already sucking in her energy and they hadn’t even spoken yet. Ten seconds later he was standing directly in front of Chloe with his perfect hair and jaw, perfect shirt tucked into his perfectly pressed pants. “I’m Shane Westman with the Linear Tactical. We’ve been hired for security,” he said, taking off his sunglasses. Chloe wasn’t a bit surprised to find he had perfectly icy blue eyes. “I need to know who’s in charge.” There was no way this Shane Westman could stay. No possibility Chloe could allow it. He was too perfect. Too distracting. Too everything. He may keep them safe from the stalker but who would keep her safe from him?
*100% of proceeds until July 16 goes to Cystic Fibrosis charities – with a special $0.99 price. Help us stomp CF! Plus, buy Survival Instinct before July 16 and get a free ebook by Janie not available anywhere else! More details here: http://www.janiecrouch.com/si-pp-0717
**Link to Free ebook offer with purchase: Free Protector’s Promise ebook with purchase of Survival Instinct: http://www.janiecrouch.com/si-pp-0717
Award-winning romantic suspense author and 2017 Romance Writers of America RITA finalist Janie Crouch recently relocated from Virginia to an American military base in Stuttgart, Germany with her hubby and four kids.
She loves travelling, adventure racing, and movies of all kinds. Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Every single person Paige has drawn has ended up dead. And now she’s drawn herself.
Paige Jeffries’ is the darling of the art world. Her works are original, compelling. But after a brutal attack two years ago —a savage beating from an unknown assailant—Paige has become all but a recluse. She knows her mind is broken. In her sleep she’s drawing scenes of violence. Murders. Going to the cops isn’t an option because they already think she’s crazy. And they may be right. Seasoned homicide detective Brett Wagner is asked to look into a cold case nobody wants: the assault and battery of a local artist who claims to have drawn a picture of her own attack before it even happened. He remembers shy Paige from high school, and is driven to find her attacker, to believe her when nobody else does, to protect the innocent beauty. Because when he witnesses firsthand what Paige is drawing in her sleep, Brett realizes they are scenes from actual cases. Cases that had no connection until now. Portland has a secret serial killer, and Paige is somehow linked to his mind. And he’s coming for her.
The story starts eerily with the killer's thoughts, setting up the tone of peril at your doorsteps, danger, and death just a few steps away. That intense atmosphere lasts through the story, where the plot is well thought out, where every scene is vital to the development of the story, with a solid built up of the scenes with escalating tension.
I enjoyed the characters, from the main couple to the secondary cast they were all engaging and intriguing. I found Paige to be inspirational, a character that will stay with you long after you have finished reading the story. From her art to her strength to survive, her dealing with her gift, the darkness of the past two years, and still being able to function as well as she did was admirable. I liked how it was Paige to show Brett's depth as a character with the colors she saw in him. One of my favorite moments in the story. (*sigh*) The connection between Brett and Paige was believable, going from passionate attraction to adorable loving, to playful and even secure as their feelings deepen. The love scenes actually took the plot forward and were not too much at any time. They were not there just for the sake of to have them and the amount of detail was perfectly done. I enjoyed the role the sisters had in the story, giving a little glimpse of the characters of the previous book and an introduction to the sister who's story will be next. This book is easily read as a stand-alone novel, yet I do recommend the first book in the series, just because it's a great story. With escalating violence, action, and intensity, the crimes and suspense have a creepy, menacing feel to them. The way the culprit was found, the leads and evidence the law enforcement followed were logical and believable, while the suspense was frightening and downright scary at times. The gift Paige have amazed me and really stayed with me after putting the book down. The amount of doubt mixed into the belief of the gift to be real, Brett's misgivings about it, his questions, and need to find more about it, it all made the story somehow even more realistic, Paige's abilities even more powerful. An intense, compelling, potent, and passionate tale that made me check my locks and windows because of the eerie feelings it gave me, had me on the edge while enjoying the story immensely, and inhaling each and every word. This story is an experience I highly recommend! ~ Five Spoons
INTRODUCING THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES - SURVIVAL INSTINCT OUT JULY 11TH 2017
SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE ONLY $0,99
Winner of the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, and a finalist in multiple other Romance literary awards, including the coveted RITA Award by the Romance Writers of America, Janie Crouch loves to read - almost exclusively romance - and has been doing so since middle school. She cut her teeth on Harlequin (Mills & Boon) Romances when she lived in Wales, UK as a preteen, then moved on to a passion for romantic suspense as an adult.
Janie recently relocated with her husband and four children to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she's not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys traveling, long-distance running, movie-watching, knitting and adventure (obstacle) racing. Janie completed an Ironman Triathlon in 2014 and is prepping for another one in 2017. Check out Janie's updates and more on her website at http://www.janiecrouch.com TWITTER FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM |