Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book. Ford is undercover, working on a case for Alliance. A scientist has gone missing along with some vials of a deadly toxin. Rumor has it that it will be sold to the highest bidder. Ford is tagged with watching Shay, cousin to the missing scientist, and property manager of the building Ford is now living in. But Ford goes further than he should, and gets much, much closer. Because of a past relationship that went wrong, Shay intends to be cautious with Ford. But those intentions go right out the window when the sparks between them burst into flame.
I really liked both Ford and Shay. Shay is pretty straightforward, doesn't play silly emotional games. She is recovering from one bad relationship, where the guy lied to her and used her to try to get to her uncle and his wealth. She likes Ford, and though she is frustrated by his frequent absences, she understands that his job as an IT specialist calls him away at a moment's notice. I loved that she isn't a whiner and doesn't try to inveigle him into a deeper relationship than he's ready for. Her family is important to her and she worries about her cousin.
Ford is great. He first appeared in Running Hot, as Ward's partner. Now he is a team leader himself. He likes the new agency, which isn't as bound up in rules and regulations as his former work with the CIA, which gives him the freedom to react as he needs to. He is protective, loyal, frequently sarcastic, and honorable. He's haunted by things that happened on his last CIA mission and determined that it won't happen again.
The relationship between Ford and Shay has the potential for disaster from the beginning. Ford wasn't supposed to make contact with her yet, but the attraction to her is too hard to resist. From the outset, we see the conflict that Ford is suffering from. She is part of the job, a possible suspect, and yet he can't stay away from her. He realizes quickly that she isn't involved and quickly moves into protector mode, worried about her getting caught up in the middle. I loved seeing them together, with their happiness in just being able to spend time together. Shay's mistrust of men disappears when she's around Ford, feeling that he's just what he says he is. Ford gets a little freaked out by just how much he needs Shay in his life. I loved how being with her would center him after a difficult op. I was a little bit surprised that Shay wasn't more suspicious of Ford, especially with his odd schedule, but he was pretty convincing. I ached for them both when the truth came out. Ford had fallen so hard for her, but knew that he deserved her anger. What he didn't know was if she would ever forgive him. Shay was hit with so much at once that Ford's deception seemed to be an even worse betrayal. It takes her a while to process everything, and even then she's not sure she can forgive him. I loved Ford's big moment at the end, especially the vulnerability that he exposed to her.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. The men and women of Alliance are determined to stop Trent and his plans to sell the toxin to the highest bidder. The problem that they have is that each lead they follow ends up being a dead end or a trap that nearly gets them killed. It quickly becomes obvious that there is someone on the inside that is helping the bad guys. So in addition to finding Trent and the toxin, they also have to find the "mole". There were a couple possibilities and the truth remained hidden until the end. The build up to the final confrontation was intense and kept me reading well past my bedtime. I was on the edge of my seat through it as I wondered how it was going to end.
I loved how Ford's Bravo team worked together. They were all so different, but each had their own place. I especially liked how much respect they had for Ford and that they were with him no matter what. I loved the banter among them all, from the funny to the sarcastic. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in later books.
I really liked both Ford and Shay. Shay is pretty straightforward, doesn't play silly emotional games. She is recovering from one bad relationship, where the guy lied to her and used her to try to get to her uncle and his wealth. She likes Ford, and though she is frustrated by his frequent absences, she understands that his job as an IT specialist calls him away at a moment's notice. I loved that she isn't a whiner and doesn't try to inveigle him into a deeper relationship than he's ready for. Her family is important to her and she worries about her cousin.
Ford is great. He first appeared in Running Hot, as Ward's partner. Now he is a team leader himself. He likes the new agency, which isn't as bound up in rules and regulations as his former work with the CIA, which gives him the freedom to react as he needs to. He is protective, loyal, frequently sarcastic, and honorable. He's haunted by things that happened on his last CIA mission and determined that it won't happen again.
The relationship between Ford and Shay has the potential for disaster from the beginning. Ford wasn't supposed to make contact with her yet, but the attraction to her is too hard to resist. From the outset, we see the conflict that Ford is suffering from. She is part of the job, a possible suspect, and yet he can't stay away from her. He realizes quickly that she isn't involved and quickly moves into protector mode, worried about her getting caught up in the middle. I loved seeing them together, with their happiness in just being able to spend time together. Shay's mistrust of men disappears when she's around Ford, feeling that he's just what he says he is. Ford gets a little freaked out by just how much he needs Shay in his life. I loved how being with her would center him after a difficult op. I was a little bit surprised that Shay wasn't more suspicious of Ford, especially with his odd schedule, but he was pretty convincing. I ached for them both when the truth came out. Ford had fallen so hard for her, but knew that he deserved her anger. What he didn't know was if she would ever forgive him. Shay was hit with so much at once that Ford's deception seemed to be an even worse betrayal. It takes her a while to process everything, and even then she's not sure she can forgive him. I loved Ford's big moment at the end, especially the vulnerability that he exposed to her.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. The men and women of Alliance are determined to stop Trent and his plans to sell the toxin to the highest bidder. The problem that they have is that each lead they follow ends up being a dead end or a trap that nearly gets them killed. It quickly becomes obvious that there is someone on the inside that is helping the bad guys. So in addition to finding Trent and the toxin, they also have to find the "mole". There were a couple possibilities and the truth remained hidden until the end. The build up to the final confrontation was intense and kept me reading well past my bedtime. I was on the edge of my seat through it as I wondered how it was going to end.
I loved how Ford's Bravo team worked together. They were all so different, but each had their own place. I especially liked how much respect they had for Ford and that they were with him no matter what. I loved the banter among them all, from the funny to the sarcastic. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in later books.
Ford is an undercover agent with the "Alliance." They are an off the book joint venture of the CIA and MI6. When we first meet Ford, he is at an op that doesn't go as planned (do they have a mole???). In the next chapter, he is in a sexual relationship with Shay, who is a person of interest in an Alliance investigation. The Alliance suspects her cousin of terrorism.
This (kinda) didn't work for me. My main issue was with Ford and Shay's lightening fast sexual relationship and that fact she had no idea (none whatsoever) who Ford really was. I thought it was unethical and created a huge conflict of interest. However, once I got to "know" them as a couple, I did like both of them.
There is a decent amount of action in this one too. I liked the writing and the interaction between the various characters.
This (kinda) didn't work for me. My main issue was with Ford and Shay's lightening fast sexual relationship and that fact she had no idea (none whatsoever) who Ford really was. I thought it was unethical and created a huge conflict of interest. However, once I got to "know" them as a couple, I did like both of them.
There is a decent amount of action in this one too. I liked the writing and the interaction between the various characters.
This is the first book I've ever read by this author. It's alright. Not bad, but not that great. Although, since I've collected all 4 books in this series, I've finished book 2 and am reading book 3. They really do get better as you go. There is a background story that runs through all the books, so these MUST be read in order. So far, book 3 is excellent! My best guess would be, this series is definitely worth the read!
