Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Wow-what a rollercoaster of a ride this book was. The action began almost immediately and didn't let up even at the end. The story opens as Kate, a veterinarian with a mobile clinic takes a late-night call. But instead of a client with a sick animal, her caller is a desperate young woman in labor and standing outside Kate's apartment. When the terrified mother-to-be refuses to allow an ambulance to be called, Kate realizes she'll have to deliver the baby herself. With the help of the elderly bartender, DJ, from the bar under her apartment, Kate gets Cheryl into her mobile clinic with minutes to spare. But as Kate is in mid-delivery, two gun-wielding men burst in, threatening their lives, and demanding to take Cheryl and the baby. In the first of many surprises that night, the elderly DJ takes out one gunman and chases down the other.
Unknown to Kate, DJ is not precisely what he seems. Dean Delgado, a native of Laramie and her high school boyfriend, walked away when they were seventeen without a word to anyone. Since then, he lived on the streets, spent time as a Marine, then joined the CIA, where he was a member of Topaz Unit, an assassination squad. When his team's last mission went horribly wrong, they found themselves the targets of a CIA kill squad. A master of disguises, Dean returned to Laramie, where he's lived undercover for seven months, always looking over his shoulder. When he breaks cover to help Kate, he knows he'll have to leave again, but how can he go when she's in danger?
I loved the reunion between Dean and Kate. While grateful for his help, the last thing she wants is to have Dean stirring up old feelings. I loved how she ripped into him for the way he left, his selfishness in not getting in touch, and his current plan to disappear again. His explanation doesn't wholly convince her of the danger he's in, and she wants him to stay and help her figure out what was going on with Cheryl. Dean attempts to persuade her to leave it alone, as he suspects something terrible is going on, and he wants her to be safe. Of course, she refuses to back down, and though Dean leaves, his guilty conscience sends him right back - just in time to rescue Kate again.
I could not put the book down as Dean and Kate investigated what Cheryl was involved in. Strange numbers found on a thumb drive led them to a dark underbelly in their small town and put both in further danger. I loved Dean's actions, proving he knew the right thing to do, but it also left Kate vulnerable. An unforeseen twist put her at the mercy of a dangerous man, leaving Dean to figure out how to save her. Help came from an unexpected source, and though Dean is wary, he can't turn it down. The rescue scene was a nail-biter, but their troubles aren't over yet.
At the same time, all of this is going on, the kill squad finally got the break they needed to locate Dean. A disturbing scene at CIA headquarters shows a ruthlessness on the part of several people to eliminate Dean and the rest of his team. They deploy a "secret weapon" to get their information while reiterating their expectations. I was especially intrigued by the news about Topaz Unit's former boss and can't wait to see what comes of that. I was on the edge of my seat as the killers came closer to Dean and Kate. The final confrontation was heartbreaking, but I hold out hope that some good may come of it.
I loved seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Dean and Kate. Neither had forgotten each other in the fifteen years they'd been apart, and it didn't take long for their feelings to resurface. I liked watching them talk about what happened back then, the repercussions for everyone involved, and the effects that still linger in their lives. Kate's trust issues have impacted attempted relationships in ways she only just begins to understand. Dean has trouble believing he deserves anything good in his life. As they work their way toward safety and sanctuary, they have some time to get to know each other again.
The epilogue was excellent, and I loved catching up with the people from the first two books. But an unpleasant surprise arrives along with Dean and Kate and serves as a lead-in for the next book. I can't wait to finally find out the truth of what happened with that failed operation and the who/what/why behind the attacks.
#ARC
Unknown to Kate, DJ is not precisely what he seems. Dean Delgado, a native of Laramie and her high school boyfriend, walked away when they were seventeen without a word to anyone. Since then, he lived on the streets, spent time as a Marine, then joined the CIA, where he was a member of Topaz Unit, an assassination squad. When his team's last mission went horribly wrong, they found themselves the targets of a CIA kill squad. A master of disguises, Dean returned to Laramie, where he's lived undercover for seven months, always looking over his shoulder. When he breaks cover to help Kate, he knows he'll have to leave again, but how can he go when she's in danger?
I loved the reunion between Dean and Kate. While grateful for his help, the last thing she wants is to have Dean stirring up old feelings. I loved how she ripped into him for the way he left, his selfishness in not getting in touch, and his current plan to disappear again. His explanation doesn't wholly convince her of the danger he's in, and she wants him to stay and help her figure out what was going on with Cheryl. Dean attempts to persuade her to leave it alone, as he suspects something terrible is going on, and he wants her to be safe. Of course, she refuses to back down, and though Dean leaves, his guilty conscience sends him right back - just in time to rescue Kate again.
I could not put the book down as Dean and Kate investigated what Cheryl was involved in. Strange numbers found on a thumb drive led them to a dark underbelly in their small town and put both in further danger. I loved Dean's actions, proving he knew the right thing to do, but it also left Kate vulnerable. An unforeseen twist put her at the mercy of a dangerous man, leaving Dean to figure out how to save her. Help came from an unexpected source, and though Dean is wary, he can't turn it down. The rescue scene was a nail-biter, but their troubles aren't over yet.
At the same time, all of this is going on, the kill squad finally got the break they needed to locate Dean. A disturbing scene at CIA headquarters shows a ruthlessness on the part of several people to eliminate Dean and the rest of his team. They deploy a "secret weapon" to get their information while reiterating their expectations. I was especially intrigued by the news about Topaz Unit's former boss and can't wait to see what comes of that. I was on the edge of my seat as the killers came closer to Dean and Kate. The final confrontation was heartbreaking, but I hold out hope that some good may come of it.
I loved seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Dean and Kate. Neither had forgotten each other in the fifteen years they'd been apart, and it didn't take long for their feelings to resurface. I liked watching them talk about what happened back then, the repercussions for everyone involved, and the effects that still linger in their lives. Kate's trust issues have impacted attempted relationships in ways she only just begins to understand. Dean has trouble believing he deserves anything good in his life. As they work their way toward safety and sanctuary, they have some time to get to know each other again.
The epilogue was excellent, and I loved catching up with the people from the first two books. But an unpleasant surprise arrives along with Dean and Kate and serves as a lead-in for the next book. I can't wait to finally find out the truth of what happened with that failed operation and the who/what/why behind the attacks.
#ARC
