Unseen (Guardian #7) by Traci Hunter Abramson

You never know when you’ll be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Manuel never expected to be condemned to life in prison for something as mundane as going to buy milk. When the guardian program offers him a way out, he fakes his death and becomes a ghost, protecting U.S. government operatives in Central and South America.

Laura’s work as a nurse practitioner in San Diego has pushed her to the breaking point. Her visit to Honduras to see her abuela is supposed to be a respite from the pressure. In a split second, however, Laura is captured in a deadly case of mistaken identity. The outlook is dire until a mysterious rescuer appears, launching the pair on a desperate flight to freedom.

Manuel’s skills are pushed to the limit as he races to get Laura out of the country alive. What begins as a connection forged in a shared ordeal quickly deepens, and Manuel and Laura must learn to trust their instincts―and their hearts―if they hope to survive..

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

I love this series so much and getting my hands on a new addition to it feels a bit like Christmas.  This author really knows how to deliver the growing tension of suspense that keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book.  There was plenty of action and the story had great forward momentum with a few of those quiet moments interspersed so I had the chance to really get to know the characters better and feel their growing connection.

Manuel was a great protector and defender.  How can you not admire a guy who was dealt a bad hand and makes the very most out of it?  He was so easy to like.  He and Laura worked so well together and I liked the way their friendship and trust grew.

I think you can read these books as standalone's, in any order, but you might be happier if you read them in order.  The references to characters from other books will have more meaning.

Content:  peril, violence.  Death.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Critical Threat (Extreme Measures #3) by Lynette Eason

 

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I had to make a rule for myself with this book.  No reading it at night!  haha.  I'm such a lightweight when it comes suspense- especially serial killer suspense books.  This one really kept up with the creepy factor until the very end.  It was suspenseful and had great forward momentum.  The ending felt so satisfying.  So, so satisfying.

Grace and Sam have a growing friendship that turns into more throughout this book.  They have complicated, difficult pasts that they still deal with which actually made them even more suited for each other than they (or I) initially believed.  They worked together well.

I'm really enjoying this series!  It's exciting and gets my blood pumping without crossing my lines of becoming too gruesome or violent.  I can't wait for the next book.  Is there a next book?!  I really hope so!

Content:  peril, death.  Mild violence.  Kissing.  Some Christian elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Range (The Metcalfes #3) by Ronie Kendig + Giveaway

 

He's back and he's out for blood

Fed up with living in the shadow of his brothers, Range Metcalfe struck out to carve a name for himself—one written in the blood of many a terrorist. Now, he’s targeting the notorious Madam of Kandahar, who has trafficked children and women. Finally given the green light, he captures her and quickly finds himself entrenched up in a deadly encounter that forces him into the Afghan wilderness—with the madam.

Ten years as a trafficking victim Kasra Jazani has little left of her soul. No longer able to live with herself, she takes matters into her own hands and coordinates an escape, a massive coup against the man who has kept her and so many others captive. They flee into the night—right into the fierce and capable hands of American operators, who ruin everything and put lives at risk. Livid, she knows death is coming for them, because she also holds a very dangerous, very powerful secret: the name of the man at the top of the trafficking ring. Now that monster wants her—and her American protector—dead.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * B&N *

You know when the author gives you permission up front to take breaks from this story and it's heavy topics, that it's going to be an intense ride.  And it really, really was.  So intense.  The constant forward momentum, the scary, horrifying reality of sex trafficking and Range's giant attitude problem made this story at some points, overwhelming.  I did take breaks but always during those breaks, I was thinking about the story and the characters.

Your heart is guaranteed to break when it comes to Kasra.  What a horrifying life, what sacrifice, what desperate conditions.  Despite all this, Kasra is probably one of the purest individuals, filled with intentions to make life better for everyone around her, even at great personal cost.  How can you not love and be emotionally connected to a character like that?

Range is a completely different story.  He is angry.  He is tough.  He is stubborn.  He is laser focused.  He is ready to take on the world.  He has a slow shift from this to a likeable character for me.  He was harsh with his words and even knowing it came from a place of hurt and misunderstanding, it was hard to swallow.  Especially when directed toward Kasra.  I struggled a bit with Range but definitely appreciated his transformation.

This is a story you need to buckle up for.  It's a crazy, action packed, intense ride.  It stole my breath and my heart.

Content:  violence, death, peril, sex trafficking with some details of sexual and physical abuse.  Some mild faith elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share--sometimes--with Benning the Stealth Golden. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Connect with Ronie by visiting roniekendig.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Giveaway:

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Range and an Operation Underground t-shirt.

Full tour schedule linked below.

The giveaway begins at midnight October 18, 2022 and will last

through 11:59 PM EST on October 25, 2022.

Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Range by Ronie Kendig, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!