Review: Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon

Deadly Pursuit (Guardians of Justice #2)

By: Irene Hannon

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3457-2

About the book:

Social worker Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children. But now it seems she needs protecting. When her tormentor's attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements - her police-detective brother, Cole, and his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.

Filled with nail-biting suspense and heart-melting romance, Deadly Pursuit is Irene Hannon's storytelling at its very best.

Review:

Following the crippling car accident that left her with a metal rod in one leg, traumatic internal injuries, and a broken engagement, Alison Taylor threw herself into the work of regaining her independence. With two protective older brothers in law enforcement, keeping their stifling, if well-intentioned, hovering at bay could be as much of a challenge as dealing with the dark loneliness that overwhelms her when she least expected it. Mitch Morgan, a newly-arrived transfer to the St. Louis Police Department, couldn't be more surprised when his partner - Alison's brother Cole - sets the two up on a blind date and sparks fly. The lovely but reserved Alison is an enigma Mitch is determined to decipher and make a permanent part of his new life. But that promising future is threatened when the disturbing calls Alison's been receiving - "inconveniences" she strove to handle on her own - increase. And when the calls escalate to disturbing, very personal "gifts," it's clear that someone has Alison in their sights. With Alison the prize in a sick game of chance, Mitch is in a race against time to save the woman who has given him hope for the future.

Deadly Pursuit is the second novel in Hannon's Guardians of Justice series, and focuses on the sole female member of the Taylor siblings trio, Alison. I've had friends who work in Child Protective Services, and based on my second-hand knowledge of what social workers deal with in their jobs I can tell you Hannon did her homework. The stress and pressure Alison deals with on the job, and the overwhelming pull to become personally involved in heart-breaking cases that victimize the most vulnerable among us, and the potential dangers in those cases is spot-on accurate. Alison quickly became one of my favorite Hannon heroines - she is a beautifully realized, fully-dimensional character whose weaknesses are balanced with a deep-seated strength that can only stem from a faith refined and purified by fire. I could really relate to her struggles to find her place in her very-involved family, and I appreciated how Hannon worked through Alison's tensions with her brothers in a very realistic way. Family relationships can be among the stickiest of all, and its refreshing to see honest frustrations expressed and dealt with in a productive fashion. And I loved Mitch and Alison's relationship. Mitch is one of my favorite Hannon heroes, the alpha male in him balanced with a sensitivity and understanding for Alison's relationship-related reticence that is heart-rendingly sweet.

I really don't know how Irene Hannon does it, but she keeps surpassing herself with each new release. While it is possible I'm suffering from "most recent novel is my favorite" syndrome, I am going to go out on a limb here and declare that Deadly Pursuit has tied with, if not surpassed, In Harm's Way as my favorite Hannon novel yet. Hannon's ability to keep ratcheting up the suspense and tension is unparalleled, a marvel even more so when you consider that, knowing her history, she's going to deliver a "happy ending." But when you have that expectation and you're still breathlessly turning pages, your heart in your throat -- that is a suspense novel penned with masterful skill. Mixed with a heart-stopping, swoon-worthy romance, that despite the novel's short timeframe still manages to feel genuine and authentic, is the recipe for a romantic suspense winner. Hannon is without question my go-to author for sizzling romantic tension mixed with chilling moments of danger. Deadly Pursuit exhibits her writing skills at their finest, with pacing worthy of the best television crime procedural, heart-pounding tension, swoon-worthy romance, and a subtle thread of faith - a heady, addictive mix that will leave you eager for her next release!

Book Giveaway: Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon

Since it's Monday, and since I have several blogs in various "draft" stages that need to be completed (including, but not limited to, a review of Downton Abbey Part Four - how fabulous was that?!, reviews of episodes 4 and 5 of Primeval, and a couple of book reviews), I thought it entirely appropriate to mark the last day of the first month of 2011 with a book giveway. One copy of Irene Hannon's latest, Fatal Judgment, is up for grabs.

About the book:

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven't warmed in the five years since she drove her husband - and Jake's best friend - to despair...and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he's forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life - and his heart - are in danger.

Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Click HERE to read my review of Fatal Judgment.

Giveaway Details:

If you'd like to win a copy, simply leave a comment on this post with your email address: your name (at) domain name (dot) com

For an EXTRA entry, post about this comment on your Facebook, blog, or Twitter, and leave a comment telling me you've done so.

Entries will be accepted through Sunday, 2/6/11, and the winner will be announced Monday, 2/7/11. Good luck!

Blog housekeeping note: I've removed the challenge buttons from the right sidebar. It was all getting to be a bit too much for me. *wink* You can still find all the challenge details on the Reading Challenges page.

Review: Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon

Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice #1)

By: Irene Hannon

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3456-5

About the book:

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven't warmed in the five years since she drove her husband - and Jake's best friend - to despair...and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he's forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life - and his heart - are in danger.

Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Review:

The last thing U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor wants is a high-profile protection case that places him anywhere in the vicinity of the widow of his best friend from college – federal judge Elizabeth Michaels. Convinced that the woman’s single-minded drive to advance her career destroyed his friend, Jake determines to maintain a strict professional distance. But his resolve is tested when it becomes apparent that Liz’s sister was murdered in a tragic case of mistaken identity, and the judge herself was the intended victim. Grief-stricken and vulnerable, the woman Jake gets to know is nothing like the prejudiced mental image he’d carried with him for years. Intensely private and dedicated to her work, Liz had never understood the animosity Jake had projected during their few brief encounters years before. Struggling to cope with the guilt of a failed marriage and the brutal loss of her last surviving family member, Liz struggles to cling to her faith while her world spirals out of control. When the murderer gets a second chance to eliminate Liz, Jake finds himself in a race against time to save the life of the last woman he ever expected to invade his heart.

The first book in Hannon’s newest series focuses on a new branch of high-stakes law enforcement – the U.S. Marshal Service. I was thrilled to see brief appearances from Matt and Nick, FBI agents who previously “starred” in her superb debut Heroes of Quantico series. From the opening pages, it’s clear that Hannon has once again done her homework into the protocols and the logistics involved in a high-profile protection case. She excels at immersing the reader in the high-stakes, fast-paced world of the investigation, from evidence retrieval to inter-agency cooperation. Hannon’s stories have a ripped-from-the-headlines relevancy that will keep you breathlessly turning the pages until the novel’s conclusion. Especially given the recent tragic events in Arizona, Fatal Judgment’s focus on a deranged individual’s determination to make a misguided statement by taking down a public official lends the novel a jolting sense of realism – a legitimacy that can often be lacking in romantic suspense. This is just one of the many reasons I love Hannon’s suspense novels – the stories she crafts are compulsively readable because they are so incredibly well-researched and chillingly possible.

Irene Hannon has officially become my go-to author for quality romantic suspense. I love her heroes – she writes the male point-of-view extremely well, and U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor, member of the service’s elite Special Operations Group, is no exception. I was thrilled to see his relationships with his siblings and dedication to work and family play out on the page adding heart-warming depth to his character. And Hannon's heroines are no shy wallflowers either, who wilt in the face of danger. Despite the heartbreak of a failed marriage and the horror of her sister’s murder, Liz is a fighter. Passionate about her work and dedicated to her faith, Liz’s determination and occupation add a unique and relevant element to the storyline. I loved the fact that Jake and Liz had a complicated history to work through. Despite the accelerated pace of their relationship, the mere fact that they have shared “baggage” to work through is a refreshing change from stories where couples who’ve just met fall in love.  While the novel opens with a bang, the middle section setting up the final showdown lags a bit. But when the pace picks up I absolutely could not put this novel down. With a subtly woven faith element that felt completely organic to the storyline and characters, Jake and Liz’s journey to overcome past scars in the face of life-threatening danger results in a compelling, un-put-downable read. Hannon has once again delivered a tautly plotted thriller with a swoon-worthy hero, sizzling moments of romantic tension, and a realistic threat – all elements that have made her a star author of romantic suspense. I absolutely cannot wait for the thrill ride she’ll take readers on next!

And here's a better picture...

Since I was technologically challenged earlier today (LOL), my friend Kaye was kind enough to save a screen capture of the endorsements page in Irene Hannon's Fatal Judgment, featuring a quote from my review of her previous novel, In Harm's Way. Here's the clear picture:

Sandwiched right between Publishers Weekly and Susan May Warren! Squee!! :) I'm not even gonna try to hide it, I'm still totally geeking out over this one. Thanks for all of the kind comments my friends!

First print endorsement!

Yes, I'm quotable. *wink* This is a seriously awful picture, but my phone is not the greatest - I will take a better picture with my real camera tonight. But I am so excited about being featured in the endorsements section of Irene Hannon's latest, Fatal Judgment, that I just couldn't wait to share. :)

This quote is from my review of In Harm's Way - you can read the full review here (it was my favorite of Hannon's first series!).

Review: In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon

In Harm’s Way (Heroes of Quantico #3)

By: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 978-0-8007-33124

About the book:

FBI Special Agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at his office – until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll and tells him about a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections – and puts Rachel’s life on the line.

Filled with palpable suspense and heartwarming romance, In Harm’s Way is the final installment of the thrilling Heroes of Quantico series.

Review:

When Rachel Sutton pulls a battered Raggedy Ann doll from a snowdrift, she never expected to be assailed by a feeling of overwhelming terror. Not one to believe in psychics, but unable to ignore the fear that overcomes her every time she touches the doll, Rachel takes a leap of faith and delivers the toy to the local FBI office. At her wit’s end, and even though she’s convinced she’ll be mocked and dismissed as a crazy, Rachel’s sure that entrusting the doll to the FBI will allow her to move on with her life. Nick Bradley, a veteran agent, has met his share of whacky tipsters, but Rachel’s levelheadedness and apparently genuine terror raise enough questions in his mind that he’s unable to simply dispose of the filthy toy and write off Rachel’s reaction as some sort of bizarre coincidence. When the doll turns out to be the only clue in a kidnapping case gone cold, and it’s revealed that Rachel has an unexpected tie to the missing child, suddenly Nick’s intriguing tipster is the target of unwanted media attention. As the news story spreads, Rachel becomes the only threat to a kidnapper desperate to cover her tracks, and Nick must work overtime to protect Rachel, the investigation’s best lead and the only woman who’s ever invaded his heart.

I was so happy to finally read Nick’s story. The glimpses of his character in the first two books of the series marked him as an intriguing guy, and I had great fun watching Hannon turn the tables on him as he enters the spotlight and becomes the hero falling hard for a woman at the center of an investigation. Hannon writes the male point of view extremely well, and Nick is her best hero yet – a dreamy combination of toughness and sensitivity. The faith element was also well-integrated into the storyline. I loved the fact that Rachel wasn’t a stranger to the idea of God, she just didn’t see the need to cultivate a relationship with Him. Also, it was nice to see a female lead exploring faith – more often than not in CBA fiction it is the hero who learns faith in a story, so I really appreciated how Hannon shook up this formula with this novel. Also, Rachel’s reaction to the doll and how others respond to it added a unique element to the storyline.

Hannon concludes her Heroes of Quantico series with a well-plotted thriller and a spectacular romance, earning In Harm’s Way the top spot in my favorites ranking of the trilogy. Every aspect of this story clicked, working together on all levels from pacing, plotting and characterization to deliver one engaging, un-put-downable read. While I couldn’t help but favorably compare the first two Quantico books to Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series, which has long been a “gold standard” in romantic suspense in my view, this book blew past the competition. Hannon is clearly on track to lay claim to the title of “Queen of Romantic Suspense” in the CBA market. In Harm’s Way is the perfect blend of suspense, balanced with just the right touch of romance between two leads that have so much chemistry the sparks practically fly from the page. Masterfully plotted and crackling with romantic tension, In Harm’s Way delivers the goods – I can not WAIT for Hannon’s next book!

In Harm's Way - full review coming soon!

Due to a couple of things coming up this week/weekend, I haven't quite been able to finish the third novel in Irene Hannon's Heroes of Quantico series and get a review written. However, I can tell you that with this installment, Hannon has completely outdone herself - this is my favorite story (and favorite romance) of the series! My full review will be up in the next day or so (gonna do my best!), but till then, here's a bit about the story to wet your appetite. :)

FBI Special Agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at his office - until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll and tells him about a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections - and puts Rachel's life on the line.

Filled with palpable suspense and heartwarming romance, In Harm's Way is the final installment in the thrilling Heroes of Quantico series.

• Read my review of book #1, Against All Odds
• Read my review of book #2, An Eye for an Eye

Review: Against All Odds by Irene Hannon

Against All Odds (Heroes of Quantico #1)

By: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3310-0

About the book:

For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, beautiful but determined Monica Callahan isn’t making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father – who is involved in a sensitive hostage in the Middle East – she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States. That is, until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real – and escalating.

As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, the threat against Monica is rising. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever breached the walls around his heart are dropping. After all, terrorists aren’t known for their patience – or their mercy.

Review:

Evan Cooper, a member of the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, isn’t thrilled when his next assignment is dignitary protection duty. “Babysitting” VIPs isn’t his dream job, especially when the VIP in question comes with some very high profile baggage. Monica Callahan, the daughter of a prominent State Department official, has become the unwitting target of a kidnapping plot. Terrorists want to use her as leverage against her estranged father, who is involved in sensitive hostage negotiations in Afghanistan. Monica is unwilling to accept that her father’s life could interfere with hers until the would-be kidnappers succeed in sending a message with a threat that’s impossible to ignore. Coop finds himself falling hard for Monica, and thanks to the job forcing them to keep constant company, their budding relationship grows at a rapid pace. When Monica is kidnapped, with only hours to rescue her before the terrorists’ deadline, it’s a race against time for Coop and his team to rescue the only woman who’s ever left him vulnerable to the possibility of faith and love.

I absolutely loved the international angle to this story. The timeliness and relevance of the ripped-from-the-headlines plot ups the stakes and results in a page-turning, suspenseful read. Though Against All Odds is the first book in Hannon’s Heroes of Quantico series, I read the second book first. Each story works well as a standalone novel, but in hindsight I’d recommend reading them in order to get a better introduction to the heroes and witness how their characters and friendships are established and formed through their HRT assignments. Hannon really nails the male point-of-view, and the camaraderie between Coop and his partner, Mark, comes across as authentic and genuine. Thanks to the international angle, I actual prefer this novel to its sequel, An Eye for an Eye. There’s something about the high stakes of sensitive negotiations that can have massive political fallout or finding yourself caught up in events out of your control and not of your choosing, as Monica does, that resulted in a gripping and compelling read. Hannon introduces readers to all of the players in this international drama, and the scenes featuring the terrorist mastermind fighting to regain power and David Callahan’s agony over his work threatening his daughter’s life intensify the story’s fast pace and raise the emotional stakes for all those involved.

Reading Against All Odds has solidified my opinion that Irene Hannon is a romantic suspense author to watch. The plot plays out with a military-like precision, each scene layering on the suspense and increasing the romantic tension between Coop and Monica. Hannon’s research into FBI procedures shines and lends the action sequences authenticity. I also loved how she develops Coop and Monica’s relationship in a completely believable way. When characters meet under high-stress circumstances, an author can make it too easy and convenient for them to fall in love without developing any sort of real, grounded relationship. Hannon goes the extra mile by showing Monica and Coop cement their relationship long after the danger is resolved. The faith angle is also well incorporated into the storyline, such as when Coop’s questions challenge Monica’s faith and deep-set prejudices towards her absentee father. In Monica and Coop, Hannon has crafted a pair of flawed, real characters who find their faith tested by incomprehensible danger and learn new lessons in faith, trust, and forgiveness – it’s a thoroughly enjoyable thrill ride and I can't wait to read Hannon's next book!

Review: An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon

An Eye for an Eye (Heroes of Quantico #2)
By: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7

About the book:

After an accidental shooting during a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press settles. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico, Mark has a chance encounter with his first love, Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he strikes again. But what is his motive – and who was his intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe, and rekindle a relationship at the same time?

A fast-paced tale of romance, suspense, and intrigue, An Eye for an Eye is the exciting second book in the Heroes of Quantico series.

Review:

An Eye for an Eye is my first Irene Hannon read, and it definitely won’t be my last. A couple of years ago I absolutely fell in love with Dee Henderson’s romantic suspense novels, particularly the O’Malley Series, which featured a set of siblings, each involved in a high-profile, intense, fascinating career. It’s been a bit of a search for me to find other books that match the “gold standard” set by the O’Malley series - comparable, equally absorbing romantic suspense novels that feature just the right balance of high-profile jobs, swoon-worthy heroes, and fast-paced, intense action that doesn’t let go until the final page. Hannon is definitely on the right track with her FBI-centered Heroes of Quantico series. Though Eye is the 2nd book in the series, it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Mark and Emily’s story opens with a bang, literally. It’s a superbly executed sequence that sets up the unknown assailant and the threat against Mark and Emily. After being involved in a standoff situation that resulted in the accidental shooting death of a teenager, Mark was temporarily reassigned from his duties as a member of the HRT (Hostage Response Team) in Quantico to a less high-profile job in St. Louis as a field agent. A chance encounter with a former flame, Emily, quickly tailspins out of control when a sniper takes two shots at them and then disappears, leaving Emily wounded. Mark is left reeling – has one of his former cases come back to haunt him, or was Emily the intended target? And if so, how can he protect a woman scarred by past loss and intent on protecting her heart?

From Mark’s reaction to the shooting and the subsequent investigation, it’s obvious Hannon’s done her research into FBI protocols. The investigation clips along at a pace worthy of shows like 24 or its British equivalent, MI-5. The pacing slows down a bit once the imminent threat seems to be removed and Mark and Emily begin to reconnect. I loved how their relationship plays out – they have an actual history with each other which you rarely see in this type of story, and when they reconnect the chemistry is electrifying. The camaraderie between Mark and his friends and coworkers is also extremely well-executed – Hannon does a good job of nailing the male point-of-view and illustrating the depth of the bonds that develop between individuals in high-risk, life-or-death jobs. And even though Emily has her own fear and trust issues to work through, I really like how Hannon illustrates the strength of her faith – and how that unshakeable faith, even in the face of death, prompts Mark to re-evaluate his own faith walk. Well-researched, masterfully plotted, and with a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming, An Eye for an Eye is not to be missed for fans of romantic suspense.