Harlequin Intrigue

Midnight Abduction

Mary Harlequin Intrigue, NetGalley, Nicole Severn, Romantic Suspense

Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn

Published:  May 2020 – Harlequin Intrigue

E-galley from the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold.

When Benning Reeves’s twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning’s heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before—a case somehow entangled with Benning’s children. It’s up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it’s too late. (publisher)

My take:  Ana Ramirez and Benning Reeves have a past. When someone died on her watch she transferred to another office of the TCD without a glance back at the life she was leaving. Six years later she’s called back to the town she left – a special request from Benning – to find his two kidnapped children. Midnight Abduction is an action-packed romantic suspense. There were some violent scenes that made me cringe (and would have me closing my eyes if it was a movie) and wonder how Ana kept going. She’s a highly-trained professional though and a strong character that was easy to cheer for. This is Ana’s story but I also liked Benning. They seemed perfect for each other so, of course, I hoped for their HEA. I enjoyed the fast pace of the novel. Coming in at 256 pages it is the perfect length for when you’re in the mood for an exciting and suspenseful read.

Midnight Abduction is the third book in the Tactical Crime Division series and can easily stand alone. It’s the second book I’ve read and I look forward to reading more.

About the author:

Nichole Severn writes romantic suspense with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and a hell of a lot of guns. When she’s not writing, she’s injuring herself running and practicing yoga.

Buy links:

 

Secret Investigation

Mary Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense

Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter

Published:  April 2020 – Harlequin Intrigue

E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

In the wake of a tragedy, the Tactical Crime Division is the first call.

When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth? (publisher)

My take:  Secret Investigation is book 2 in the Tactical Crime Division series. It can stand alone but I recommend the series. These are fast-paced, suspenseful reads that take me out of my day-to-day life. I tend not to watch television crime shows but I’ve grown to enjoy reading books of the genre, especially this series.

The TCD (a rapid-deployment joint team of FBI agents specializing in hostage negotiation, missing persons, IT, profiling, shootings and terrorism) is called to investigate the manufacturer of what turned out to be inferior body armor. One member, Davis Rogers, will go undercover as assistant to the company CEO while other team members work to solve the crime of what looks like purposeful negligence. Leila, daughter of the company founder, finds herself in a position of disbelief upon learning her company is responsible for the deaths of American military. She doesn’t know who could be responsible and then she doesn’t know who she can trust. People around her are acting suspiciously. Will she be able to trust Davis and allow him to solve the mystery? I thought this was a solid addition to the series. I had a list of suspects but wasn’t sure who did the crime (that’s my usual experience with this genre, ha). Overall I liked it and recommend to fans of romantic suspense and a quick read.

 

About Elizabeth Heiter: Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and translated into eight languages. Visit her at www.elizabethheiter.com. 

Purchase links:

 

48 Hour Lockdown

Mary Carla Cassidy, Harlequin Intrigue, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense

48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy

Published:  April 2020 – Harlequin Intrigue

E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

My take: 48 Hour Lockdown is the start of a new series about a FBI unit (Tactical Crime Division). This book focuses on Evan, a hostage negotiator, who has been called to a school that is on lockdown after being invaded by a cult leader and a few followers. When Evan arrives it all becomes personal as he discovers a past love is involved. She’s a teacher at the school and is being held in a classroom with a few young students. From the first page the novel moves at a fast pace as the TCD team works to free the hostages and capture the criminals before more blood is shed. This is a quick read that left me looking forward to the next book in the series. Recommended to fans of romantic suspense novels.

About the author:

Carla Cassidy is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer’s of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.

 

Tactical Crime Division – series launch

Mary Blog Tour, Harlequin Intrigue

Perfect for fans of Criminal Minds and Blacklist…

Uncover the lives and loves of the FBI elite as they take on the toughest assignments. This is a new four-book miniseries featuring an ensemble cast of characters spread across 4 books, featuring 4 urgent cases, with one stellar team of crime solving experts. 

The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI. Because of the growing concerns and need for ever increasing response time to criminal events, the FBI created a specialized tech and tactical team combing specialists from several active divisions that include: weapons, crime scene investigation, protection, negotiation and IT. 

Each title can be read as a standalone novel, featuring a unique hard to solve crime case.

 

Book #1: 48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy (on-sale March 17, 2020)

Book description: The Tactical Crime Division—TCD—is a specialized unit of the FBI.They handle the toughest cases in the most remote locations. When TCD learns of a school invasion turned lockdown, every agent is ready to engage. With children in jeopardy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But it becomes personal for hostage negotiator agent Evan Duran when he learns Annalise Taylor is one of the captives holed up with the students in a school for the gifted. He’ll need every resource available at TCD and every ounce of his expertise to turn this disastrous situation into a rescue mission—and if he succeeds, maybe reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.

About Carla Cassidy: Carla Cassidy is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer’s of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.

Purchase links:

 

Book #2: Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter (on-sale April 21, 2020)

Book description: In the wake of a tragedy, the Tactical Crime Division is the first call. When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth?

About Elizabeth Heiter: Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists and a little romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and translated into eight languages. Visit her at www.elizabethheiter.com. 

Purchase links:

 

Book #3: Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn (on-sale May 19, 2020)

Book description: For the Tactical Crime Division, no case is left cold. When Benning Reeves’s twins are kidnapped, the frantic father knows who can help: the Tactical Crime Division and Ana Ramirez. Even though Ana once shattered Benning’s heart, the special agent is the only one he can trust. But Ana is still tormented by the unresolved case that brought them together years before—a case somehow entangled with Benning’s children. It’s up to the TCD and Ana to discover why…before it’s too late.

About Nichole Severn: Nichole Severn writes romantic suspense with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and a hell of a lot of guns. When she’s not writing, she’s injuring herself running and practicing yoga.

Purchase links:

 

Book #4: Running Out of Time by Cindi Myers (on-sale June 16, 2020)

Book description: When a terrorist is on the loose, the Tactical Crime Division is on the case. To find out who poisoned medications, two of TCD’s agents are tapped to go undercover posing as a married couple and infiltrate the company. But as soon as Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith arrive at Stroud Pharmaceuticals, someone ups the ante by planting explosives in their midst. Turns out that the small-town family business is hiding a million secrets. Could they unknowingly be protecting a vengeful killer?

About Cindi Myers: Cindy Myers became one of the most popular people in eighth grade when she and her best friend wrote a torrid historical romance and passed the manuscript around among friends. Fame was short-lived, alas; the English teacher confiscated the manuscript. Since then, Cindy has written more than 50 published novels. Her historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction have garnered praise from reviewers and readers alike.

Purchase links:

Before He Vanished

Mary Blog Tour, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense

Before He Vanished by Debra Webb

Published:  February 18, 2020 – Harlequin Intrigue

Review Galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

His disappearance changed her life forever.

Twenty-five years ago, Halle Lane’s best friend vanished from their Tennessee town. When a childhood photo brings Liam Hart to Winchester, Halle is certain the man is the same child who vanished. Now Liam seeks out Halle to help him investigate the circumstances of his mysterious past. Can Liam and Halle uncover the truth before a killer buries all traces of the boy Halle loved—and the man he may have become—forever? (publisher)

My take: Halle Lane has been haunted by the disappearance of her best friend when they were seven years old. Now, twenty-five years later, Halle is an investigative reporter. She writes an article about the unsolved case and that is the beginning of a new round of crimes connected to the story. Liam Hart, a California winemaker, receives a mysterious letter that contains a copy of Halle’s article. He’s intrigued enough to fly to Tennessee to look into the case. He didn’t expect to find out that his life has possibly been a lie. Can Halle convince him to help her solve the case before more people are hurt? This is a fast-paced mystery seasoned lightly with romance (closed door). A quick read that I enjoyed and recommend to fans of Debra Webb and the Harlequin Intrigue imprint.

About the author:

DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than 160 novels, including reader favorites the Shades of Death, the Faces of Evil, and the Colby Agency. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel. With this award Debra joined the ranks of a handful of authors like Nora Roberts and Carole Mortimer.

With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when, at the age of nine, her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at http://www.debrawebb.com.

 

Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb

Mary Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue, NetGalley, Romantic Suspense

Witness Protection Widow by Debra Webb

Published:  January 2020 – Harlequin Intrigue

Review galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Book description:

Can the witness protection program keep her identity secret?
After Allison James finally escapes her marriage to a monster, she becomes the star witness in the case against her deceased husband’s powerful crime family. Now it’s up to US Marshal Jaxson Stevens, Ali’s ex-boyfriend, to keep the WITSEC widow safe. But as the danger escalates and sparks fly, will Jax be able to help Ali escape her ruthless in-laws? (publisher)

My take: After years of taking care of the people in her life Allison met a man who showered her with care and attention until she became his wife. He became the opposite of the loving man she thought he was and made it his goal to control her and every aspect of her life. As happens in a crime family he was murdered and now she’s in need of protection from the people who killed him. She must be kept safely hidden until her testimony at the murder trial is over and dangerous people are behind bars.

When the agent who was protecting her ends up in the hospital after a deer vs. car accident a new agent is called in to replace him. That new agent happens to be Ali’s ex-boyfriend Jaxon, a US Marshal. They haven’t been in contact in years so Ali is shocked when Jax arrives to take over the job. As the trial grows closer the danger amps up. Will Jax be able to keep Ali safe until the trial is over? And what then?

I thought Debra Webb did a good job of maintaining suspense with good pacing, etc. I recommend Witness Protection Widow to fans of the author and the Romantic Suspense genre.

About the author:

DEBRA WEBB is the award winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

photo credit: Marti Corn Photography