Lights Out by Natalie Walters is a must-read for suspense fans. Brynn Taylor is a CIA analyst who is tracking a missing person with ties to terrorism, but things heat up when she’s forced to work with the SNAP (Strategic Neutralization and Protection) Agency. Her ex-boyfriend, Jack Hudson, happens to be on the SNAP team. They pair up, dodge danger, and try to piece dangerous clues together to figure out how to keep America safe.  

I love this introduction to the SNAP team! I always enjoy quirky characters and this rag-tag team of analysts and spies brings the story to life. We get to meet Kekoa, the Hawaiian hacker who adds lots of humor to the team, and Lyla, the sassy analyst with plenty to say. The relationship between Jack and Brynn creates explosive tension as they are thrown together and have to deal with their past to keep moving forward in the investigation.

While all the action and suspense make this a fast-paced novel, the author finds time for readers to get to know the characters. My favorite scene is Lyla’s birthday party. Readers will fall in love with the characters while getting a thrilling story.

Oh, and don’t miss the prequel novella, Initium. It gives a lot of details on how the team came together. Definitely check this out! 

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Power Play by Rachel Dylan gives readers a thrilling ride from the very first page. Vivian Steele is an attorney who stumbles into the middle of a national security investigation. Someone wants her dead and Jacob Cruz with Diplomatic Security Services is charged with her protection detail.

The world needs more thriller/action stories like this. I love Viv’s spunk as she grapples with her decision to join the investigation at the risk of her own safety. Lots of danger and suspense kept me flipping pages. The romance worked for me in this story and didn’t take away from the plot. It wasn’t overdone and felt more natural than a lot of stories where the danger just seems to fling two people together. These characters really belonged together! Jacob is a great character, and I loved his protective instincts when it came to Viv.

You don’t have to read the others in the series to enjoy Power Play, but the other two books are fantastic as well, although this one might be my favorite of the three!

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of CIA stories with run-for-your-life danger and suspense

Backlash is intense. Someone is out to get CIA analyst Layla Karam. It could be a drug cartel from her recent field operation. Or maybe someone in the CIA is framing her. After several attempts on her life, Layla seeks help from her ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy. They try to sort through the puzzle pieces to get the full picture of who wants Layla and several others from their team dead. Of course, romance and danger always seem to go hand in hand!

I loved End Game, and somehow Backlash is even better! Rachel Dylan brought more action, more danger, and all the plot twists I could handle. While the story is action-packed, there’s plenty of time to get to know the characters. Even on Layla’s team, readers get to find out about Zane and Cass, two other agents with the DEA that are also being targeted. They have some romance sparking. Also Izzy faces off with her past in this story, and I’m glad we see more of her in this novel. You don’t have to read End Games to pick up Backlash, but it does explain some of the back story for Izzy.

I highly recommend Backlash – It kept me flipping pages to the very end.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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For fans of spies, con artist, and high stakes missions

What a fun series! Picking up where The Gryphon Heist left off, Chasing the White Lion gives readers more action and excitement with Talia, Tyler and the rest of their mismatched crew of con artist and grifters.  If you like over-the- top action and plot twists, this novel is for you.

Chasing the White Lion has some pretty intricate and elaborate high stake cons. Talia teams up with Tyler again, not sure if she can trust him. The group tries to infiltrate a crime ring by conning their way up the ranks, which lands them in a life-or-death competition called The Jungle. And things definitely get crazy in the Hunger Games-style Jungle. Of course, they are up against the clock, working to rescue children from a human trafficking ring while trying to keep Talia alive after it’s clear that someone wants her dead.   

Things I love in a novel: action, suspense, super-quirky characters, intricate plots, spies and computer geeks. This story has all of my favorites – so definitely 5 stars from me. Definitely check out The Gryphon Heist first as you will want to read this series in order.

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

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For Fans of Action, Suspense, CIA Stories, and Spies

The Gryphon Heist isn’t a novel, it’s a wild, action-packed thrill ride. James R. Hannibal writes a thriller that weaves an intricate story line with memorable yet quirky characters, plus all the high-tech spy tools readers can nerd out to.

The story centers around Talia Inger as she is assigned her first mission as the CIA. She’s sent to Eastern Europe, with her tech opp, Eddie, and less than savory civilian contact, Adam Tyler. In order to stop a terrorist attack, she winds up working with a team of professional criminals to steal the technology before the real terrorists can get a hold of it.

If you love action stories, this novel delivers. High on suspense, the story has so many twists and turns readers will get whip lash. Talia’s story is intriguing and readers will enjoy her adventures with the CIA. I loved the audio version and thought the narrator added to the intrigue. This novel is definitely worthy of the title “Best in Suspense!”

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