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Extreme Measures #2
Crossfire
FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.
A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.
Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.
But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.
This intense story of revenge and redemption from bestselling author and master of suspense Lynette Eason will have you up all night as you race toward the explosive finish.
A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.
Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.
But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.
This intense story of revenge and redemption from bestselling author and master of suspense Lynette Eason will have you up all night as you race toward the explosive finish.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2022
About the author
Lynette Eason
164 books3,235 followersLynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."
Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice
Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice
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August 10, 2022
About this book:
“FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.
A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.
Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.
But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Extreme Measures” series. Review of Book #1 Here!
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 41:10 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, & prayed; Going to a Bible study; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Talks about God, Him being in control, your choices, forgiveness, & praying; ‘H’s are not capitalized when referring to God; Clay is mad at God & thinks He doesn’t listen so he stopped praying (*Spoiler* ); Many mentions of God, His plan, & forgiving others; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of Heaven (& a little boy dreaming that God let him see a bit of Heaven); A few mentions of Bible reading & a Bible study; A couple mentions of churches & church going; A mention of a blessing;
*Note: One of the point-of-views is of someone who says she has a mission to kill “those who’d been destined to die for the purpose”, hears voices inside her head and answers them, & at one time, says “the spirits were with me” in her plan (*Spoiler* ); A mention of Clay battling his inner demons; A mention of an evil woman.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘duh’, a ‘eat crow’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘moron’, a ‘rats’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘gah’s, two forms of ‘suck up’, three forms of ‘dumb’, eight ‘shut up’s, and twenty-one forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling; A handful of mentions of curses being alluded to & replaced with “so-and-so”; Hostage situations, negotiating, & going into the buildings/rooms (semi-detailed); Recalling a school shooting & seeing a death (up to semi-detailed); Fighting (up to semi-detailed); Being run off the road & a car wreck (semi-detailed); Being threatened, held at gunpoint and knife-point, being drugged, & a kidnapping (semi-detailed); Seeing others shot, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (including someone harming themself, up to semi-detailed); Grieving over a loved one’s death; Name-calling & Dealing with a bully; Throwing up; *Spoiler* ; All about many, many mentions of hostage situations, shootings, school shootings, gunfire, guns/weapons/explosives, threats, murder-suicides, killing, bodies, & deaths (semi-detailed); Many mentions of injuries, pain, blood/bleeding, & fighting (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a plane hijacking & killing passengers; Mentions of a daughter shooting her parents in their sleep (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of someone being in a psychiatric hospital for attempting suicide (by setting herself on fire) & depression (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of terrorists & corrupted team members; Mentions of ransom & a kidnapping; Mentions of break-ins; Mentions of stealing; Mentions of prisons & juvenile detention centers; Mentions of PTSD & nightmares (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of verbally and physically abusive family members & boyfriend (including Julianna’s mother and one woman says that “all men hit their women at some point, but that doesn’t mean we kick them to the curb”, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a teen getting kicked out by her parents & teens feeling not wanted by their parents; Mentions of anti-law-enforcement issues, people disrespecting officers & those having beef with law enforcement (this is discussed and mentioned in a few places often and Juliana says it’s a very small percentage of officers and agents that get jaded and don’t make good choices); Mentions of teens bullying a girl, getting her drunk, & then making her drive which made her get into a wreck; Mentions of bullies, bullying, & name-calling; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of drinks, drinking, drunks, DUIs, & bars; Mentions of drugs, poisons, & being drugged/poisoned; Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of divorces, parents leaving, a wife leaving her husband for his best friend, & a mom seeing another man before her divorce was final; A few mentions of an assassination & suicide mission; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of teens skipping school; A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of watching for those with suicidal tendencies or going-to-shoot-up-the-school tendencies; A couple mentions of physically abusive father & his son saying that he would shoot him if the son became a police officer; A couple mentions of a drug bust; A couple mentions of cheating; A mention of an abuser killing his girlfriend; A mention of a tattoo;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of sports teams; A couple mentions of Google; A mention of man with GQ good-looks; A mention of wanting to kick bad-guy butt.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss, two cheek kisses, a top-of-the-head kiss, a neck kiss, and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Shivers, & Hand-Holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an obsessive, possessive, & abusive ex-boyfriend; Mentions of exes & girlfriends/boyfriends; A couple mentions of wondering if a woman is a man’s mistress & if her baby is his; A couple mentions of kisses; A couple mentions of someone being crazy in love with another (one-sided); A mention of a teen whistling at Julianna; A couple mentions of dates & dates; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Julianna Jameson, age 33
-Clay Fox
P.O.V. switches between them, Felicity, Dottie (all in 3rd person), & someone else (1st person)
291 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add a full star for older girls with an interest in the law enforcement field.}
There’s something about a book starting off with hostage negotiating that just gets your blood pumping.
I found this book to be so enjoyable and I can easily say that this is now my favorite book by this author. Possibly even her best book, in my opinion.
Suspense books with hostage negotiating always piques my interest and that was one aspect of this book that I really liked seeing. Let me list off some of the other things I enjoyed as well:
-A sister relationship, I repeat, a sister relationship. I love stories with close siblings, but this one really takes the cake because they live together and both sisters care for each other so much.
-The romance elements weren’t heavy at all. Julianna and Clay are interested in each other pretty quick, but neither of them act on it because of their pasts. Which that might annoy some people, but I was here for it because that meant the suspense part of the plot was the main focus most of the time. They’re both insecure because of said pasts, but Julianna knows that her insecurity isn’t from God and I loved that that was mentioned. Atta girl!
-Speaking of the faith content. This might be one of the best Christian Fiction Suspense books that handled the whole “if God is in control, why does He allow bad things to happen?” question. Bottom line is that we live in a sinful world and, yes, God is in control, but people have choices, including the choice to believe in Him or not and that your choices have consequences. The faith content really made this book even better to me.
-And finally: Typically when I read a suspense book, I know the formula, I know how it’s going to go. This one I didn’t and I was truly on the edge of my seat the entire time because I didn’t know what would happen next. The story was under 300 pages, but it felt like the perfect length.
I’ve read a lot of books by this author, but I don’t think I could say I had a favorite book by her—now I can say that I do. This was a very enjoyable read and I really liked Julianna and Dottie—and Clay too, I suppose. Julianna just stole the show, honestly. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
“FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.
A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.
Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.
But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Extreme Measures” series. Review of Book #1 Here!
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 41:10 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, & prayed; Going to a Bible study; Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Talks about God, Him being in control, your choices, forgiveness, & praying; ‘H’s are not capitalized when referring to God; Clay is mad at God & thinks He doesn’t listen so he stopped praying (*Spoiler* ); Many mentions of God, His plan, & forgiving others; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of Heaven (& a little boy dreaming that God let him see a bit of Heaven); A few mentions of Bible reading & a Bible study; A couple mentions of churches & church going; A mention of a blessing;
*Note: One of the point-of-views is of someone who says she has a mission to kill “those who’d been destined to die for the purpose”, hears voices inside her head and answers them, & at one time, says “the spirits were with me” in her plan (*Spoiler* ); A mention of Clay battling his inner demons; A mention of an evil woman.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘duh’, a ‘eat crow’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘moron’, a ‘rats’, a ‘what the heck’, two ‘gah’s, two forms of ‘suck up’, three forms of ‘dumb’, eight ‘shut up’s, and twenty-one forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling; A handful of mentions of curses being alluded to & replaced with “so-and-so”; Hostage situations, negotiating, & going into the buildings/rooms (semi-detailed); Recalling a school shooting & seeing a death (up to semi-detailed); Fighting (up to semi-detailed); Being run off the road & a car wreck (semi-detailed); Being threatened, held at gunpoint and knife-point, being drugged, & a kidnapping (semi-detailed); Seeing others shot, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (including someone harming themself, up to semi-detailed); Grieving over a loved one’s death; Name-calling & Dealing with a bully; Throwing up; *Spoiler* ; All about many, many mentions of hostage situations, shootings, school shootings, gunfire, guns/weapons/explosives, threats, murder-suicides, killing, bodies, & deaths (semi-detailed); Many mentions of injuries, pain, blood/bleeding, & fighting (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a plane hijacking & killing passengers; Mentions of a daughter shooting her parents in their sleep (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of someone being in a psychiatric hospital for attempting suicide (by setting herself on fire) & depression (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of terrorists & corrupted team members; Mentions of ransom & a kidnapping; Mentions of break-ins; Mentions of stealing; Mentions of prisons & juvenile detention centers; Mentions of PTSD & nightmares (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of verbally and physically abusive family members & boyfriend (including Julianna’s mother and one woman says that “all men hit their women at some point, but that doesn’t mean we kick them to the curb”, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a teen getting kicked out by her parents & teens feeling not wanted by their parents; Mentions of anti-law-enforcement issues, people disrespecting officers & those having beef with law enforcement (this is discussed and mentioned in a few places often and Juliana says it’s a very small percentage of officers and agents that get jaded and don’t make good choices); Mentions of teens bullying a girl, getting her drunk, & then making her drive which made her get into a wreck; Mentions of bullies, bullying, & name-calling; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of drinks, drinking, drunks, DUIs, & bars; Mentions of drugs, poisons, & being drugged/poisoned; Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of divorces, parents leaving, a wife leaving her husband for his best friend, & a mom seeing another man before her divorce was final; A few mentions of an assassination & suicide mission; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of teens skipping school; A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of watching for those with suicidal tendencies or going-to-shoot-up-the-school tendencies; A couple mentions of physically abusive father & his son saying that he would shoot him if the son became a police officer; A couple mentions of a drug bust; A couple mentions of cheating; A mention of an abuser killing his girlfriend; A mention of a tattoo;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of sports teams; A couple mentions of Google; A mention of man with GQ good-looks; A mention of wanting to kick bad-guy butt.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss, two cheek kisses, a top-of-the-head kiss, a neck kiss, and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Shivers, & Hand-Holding (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an obsessive, possessive, & abusive ex-boyfriend; Mentions of exes & girlfriends/boyfriends; A couple mentions of wondering if a woman is a man’s mistress & if her baby is his; A couple mentions of kisses; A couple mentions of someone being crazy in love with another (one-sided); A mention of a teen whistling at Julianna; A couple mentions of dates & dates; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Julianna Jameson, age 33
-Clay Fox
P.O.V. switches between them, Felicity, Dottie (all in 3rd person), & someone else (1st person)
291 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add a full star for older girls with an interest in the law enforcement field.}
There’s something about a book starting off with hostage negotiating that just gets your blood pumping.
I found this book to be so enjoyable and I can easily say that this is now my favorite book by this author. Possibly even her best book, in my opinion.
Suspense books with hostage negotiating always piques my interest and that was one aspect of this book that I really liked seeing. Let me list off some of the other things I enjoyed as well:
-A sister relationship, I repeat, a sister relationship. I love stories with close siblings, but this one really takes the cake because they live together and both sisters care for each other so much.
-The romance elements weren’t heavy at all. Julianna and Clay are interested in each other pretty quick, but neither of them act on it because of their pasts. Which that might annoy some people, but I was here for it because that meant the suspense part of the plot was the main focus most of the time. They’re both insecure because of said pasts, but Julianna knows that her insecurity isn’t from God and I loved that that was mentioned. Atta girl!
-Speaking of the faith content. This might be one of the best Christian Fiction Suspense books that handled the whole “if God is in control, why does He allow bad things to happen?” question. Bottom line is that we live in a sinful world and, yes, God is in control, but people have choices, including the choice to believe in Him or not and that your choices have consequences. The faith content really made this book even better to me.
-And finally: Typically when I read a suspense book, I know the formula, I know how it’s going to go. This one I didn’t and I was truly on the edge of my seat the entire time because I didn’t know what would happen next. The story was under 300 pages, but it felt like the perfect length.
I’ve read a lot of books by this author, but I don’t think I could say I had a favorite book by her—now I can say that I do. This was a very enjoyable read and I really liked Julianna and Dottie—and Clay too, I suppose. Julianna just stole the show, honestly. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
July 31, 2022
Lynette Eason has once again done it with ease, dropped us right into an explosive situation.
It's fascinating to read about the different branches of law enforcement. and the main character law enforcement officers in this series are women as well which makes it so we get a women's perspective of the problems.
This one is a FBI special agent top-notch negotiator. I've never read one where a negotiator was the lead. My son is a LEO so these types of books fascinate me. There is so much to learn.
The book was pretty intense with so much going on, nonstop action.
In this one, it got personal the suspect wants to take what they believe is well deserved revenge for a past incident.
Former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Fox can't get FBI negotiator Julianna off his mind but is there a chance a romance will happen with so much action happening?
When a hostage situation that hits too close for comfort ,these two are racing against the clock to try to make it right. Kept me reading late into the night. I had to see how it ended. Highly recommended!
Pub Date: 02 Aug 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
It's fascinating to read about the different branches of law enforcement. and the main character law enforcement officers in this series are women as well which makes it so we get a women's perspective of the problems.
This one is a FBI special agent top-notch negotiator. I've never read one where a negotiator was the lead. My son is a LEO so these types of books fascinate me. There is so much to learn.
The book was pretty intense with so much going on, nonstop action.
In this one, it got personal the suspect wants to take what they believe is well deserved revenge for a past incident.
Former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Fox can't get FBI negotiator Julianna off his mind but is there a chance a romance will happen with so much action happening?
When a hostage situation that hits too close for comfort ,these two are racing against the clock to try to make it right. Kept me reading late into the night. I had to see how it ended. Highly recommended!
Pub Date: 02 Aug 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
August 14, 2022
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: Julianna and Clay were both sympathetic characters, and their backstories added to the plot.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: The theme of forgiveness played a huge part in this novel.
Plot: Plenty of twists and turns, suspenseful moments, and high stakes kept me flipping pages.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I enjoyed that Clay and Julianna's relationship developed slowly and naturally.
Writing: Lynette Eason's clear, fast-paced writing style worked great for this book.
Overall: Crossfire was an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who love Christian fiction and romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series!
Characters: Julianna and Clay were both sympathetic characters, and their backstories added to the plot.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: The theme of forgiveness played a huge part in this novel.
Plot: Plenty of twists and turns, suspenseful moments, and high stakes kept me flipping pages.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I enjoyed that Clay and Julianna's relationship developed slowly and naturally.
Writing: Lynette Eason's clear, fast-paced writing style worked great for this book.
Overall: Crossfire was an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who love Christian fiction and romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series!
August 25, 2022
This book is a race from page one. In classic Lynette Eason fashion, the hero and heroine each have richly layered backgrounds and interesting jobs that thrust them into the middle of the action. This was a fantastic, fast-paced read. Inhaled it!
November 21, 2022
WHAT A RIDE!
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense. The characters stand out the most. Julianna and her sister Dottie had a dynamic sister relationship that felt realistic. Clay and Reese were cute too. I loved how the two younger sisters brought Clay and Julianna together. Nice slow growth of friendship and budding feelings between them.
The mystery was even interesting. Lol I say it that way because I find romantic suspense redundant and boring sometimes. But this one kept my interest and I thought the resolution was satisfying.
I'm excited to continue this series for sure!
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense. The characters stand out the most. Julianna and her sister Dottie had a dynamic sister relationship that felt realistic. Clay and Reese were cute too. I loved how the two younger sisters brought Clay and Julianna together. Nice slow growth of friendship and budding feelings between them.
The mystery was even interesting. Lol I say it that way because I find romantic suspense redundant and boring sometimes. But this one kept my interest and I thought the resolution was satisfying.
I'm excited to continue this series for sure!
July 23, 2022
Intense drama as hostage negotiator Julianna comes up against her past and she is not the only one in danger. The author paints a realistic picture of what a negotiator goes through. Julie is proud of her record of no hostages lost ... until one criminal makes it personal.
This story will have you turning page after page in anticipation and giving you whiplash with unexpected twists and turns. And just when you think it is over- Wham! Another twist!
Ms. Eason comes up with the best characters, so noble and capable and vulnerable, too.
Hero Clay Fox, former Army Ranger, is a role model to teens at a high school. It was interesting to see him organize an event to expose teens to various law enforcement careers.
The faith element is consistent throughout with Julie and friends established as Christians, while some characters are portrayed as struggling in their faith.
I like the way Julie and Clay connect, as well as the friendship that grows between their sisters. They each have their group of caring friends and colleagues. This injects some humor into an otherwise fierce situation.
I have been a long time fan of Lynette Eason and this book solidifies my assessment. She writes non-stop exciting, well written and well researched suspense.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I also won a copy from Library Thing. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This story will have you turning page after page in anticipation and giving you whiplash with unexpected twists and turns. And just when you think it is over- Wham! Another twist!
Ms. Eason comes up with the best characters, so noble and capable and vulnerable, too.
Hero Clay Fox, former Army Ranger, is a role model to teens at a high school. It was interesting to see him organize an event to expose teens to various law enforcement careers.
The faith element is consistent throughout with Julie and friends established as Christians, while some characters are portrayed as struggling in their faith.
I like the way Julie and Clay connect, as well as the friendship that grows between their sisters. They each have their group of caring friends and colleagues. This injects some humor into an otherwise fierce situation.
I have been a long time fan of Lynette Eason and this book solidifies my assessment. She writes non-stop exciting, well written and well researched suspense.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I also won a copy from Library Thing. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
July 12, 2022
Love the connection that ties the main characters of each book in the series together. All four young women got into trouble as youth and had a strong female Christian to lead them to a better path.
FBI negotiator Julianna James is the focus of the second in the series. She applauds herself in staying calm under pressure. A past event from high school haunts her though. That past event and any harm that threatens her younger sister Dottie seem to be the only things that rattle her.
Favorites about this novel:
- I didn't figure out who the villain was
- A minor thread that was cloudy on tie-in, but engaging turned out to be a great addition
- The inclusion of a high school girl bully and some high school student disdain for police/FBI added realism
- Main male character Clay Fox was a great role model in his position as School Resource Officer
Another well done suspense novel by Lynette Eason! Now to wait for book three..
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
FBI negotiator Julianna James is the focus of the second in the series. She applauds herself in staying calm under pressure. A past event from high school haunts her though. That past event and any harm that threatens her younger sister Dottie seem to be the only things that rattle her.
Favorites about this novel:
- I didn't figure out who the villain was
- A minor thread that was cloudy on tie-in, but engaging turned out to be a great addition
- The inclusion of a high school girl bully and some high school student disdain for police/FBI added realism
- Main male character Clay Fox was a great role model in his position as School Resource Officer
Another well done suspense novel by Lynette Eason! Now to wait for book three..
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
August 9, 2022
Crossfire is another great edgy, suspenseful read by Lynette Eason. I was pulled in from the beginning until the end. This is the second of the Extreme Measures series with the stories of young women who started off life with a rocky start in juvie. Julianna was involved in a tragic event in high school and now is a hostage negotiator for the FBI. SRO high school officer Clay Fox and Julianna met when Clay's sister Reese is on a jury where the courtroom is taken over and Julianna is the negotiator. Afterward, this leads to a friendship between Clay, Julianna, Reese, and Jules' sister Dottie. But danger and suspense ramp up as someone else is out there, now messing with Jules. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat as the action and plot unfolds with surprises, twists, turns, and an unstable person avoiding capture. We meet great characters and a story sprinkled with friendship, faith, and a possible romance in the making. Clay, a former Army Ranger sniper, also has a past that is hindering his ability to move forward but with God's help, he is able to confront it. It can be read as a standalone. Those who enjoy suspense with a little romance and faith will like this one.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are mine.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are mine.
August 2, 2022
Rating 4.5
Lynette Eason never disappoints. When I open a book written by this author, I know that I will experience a thrilling ride. And that was what I got from the opening line. The hostage situations were suspenseful and how the negotiators handled the situations, was great to learn about.
“I do believe that God is in control, but we’re not robots. We make choices. Sometimes those choices affect other people, in good ways and not-so-good ways. I just try to make better choices now.”
On top of the great relationship development between the two main characters, the relationship between the siblings as well as the friendship between Reese and Dottie was sweet to be part of.
The culprit was merciless and their POV showed a twisted side, but that there was definitely more to the story.
God was good. Living in a fallen world meant there would be the bad times, but he was still good.
Highly recommended to fans of romantic suspense.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Lynette Eason never disappoints. When I open a book written by this author, I know that I will experience a thrilling ride. And that was what I got from the opening line. The hostage situations were suspenseful and how the negotiators handled the situations, was great to learn about.
“I do believe that God is in control, but we’re not robots. We make choices. Sometimes those choices affect other people, in good ways and not-so-good ways. I just try to make better choices now.”
On top of the great relationship development between the two main characters, the relationship between the siblings as well as the friendship between Reese and Dottie was sweet to be part of.
The culprit was merciless and their POV showed a twisted side, but that there was definitely more to the story.
God was good. Living in a fallen world meant there would be the bad times, but he was still good.
Highly recommended to fans of romantic suspense.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
August 9, 2022
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions conveyed are my own.
Scripture Connection
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph. 4:32
Spiritual Content
Julianne is a believer and prays, throughout the novel. Clay has distanced himself from God, in response to a tragic incident.
Forgiveness plays an important role in the novel, as does grace/mercy. There are multiple references to the sanctity of life, which I enjoy seeing in a Christian novel– all the more after the miraculous overturning of Roe.
There is also some discussion about free will and God’s sovereignty, as well as a scene I really enjoyed that touches on trusting God and not honoring bad circumstances over Him.
What I Liked
This is my second time reading a novel by Lynette Eason (my first was the first book in this series), and, again, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Eason has such a strong handle on the craft, and after beginning the book, I couldn’t help but think of the words of Josephine Barry (aka Diana’s Aunt Jo) in the Kevin Sullivan adaptation of Anne of Green Gables: “I like people who make me like them. Saves me so much trouble forcing myself to like them.”
As I thought of it, Crossfire was a book that “saved me the trouble” of making myself like it. There are so many books that start out slow and then pick up traction as you go along; this was not one of them. Eason swept me right into the action, from the start of the book, which is so refreshing!
Friends and Family
Book one introduced the friendship between four remarkable characters: Penny, Julianna, Grace and… Raina. Book one is about Penny and book two is about Julianna, so my guess is that the following books in the series will follow the other ladies.
There are several things I like about the characters’ friendship:
The women have been friends for almost two decades, and they became Christians, together (long before the start of the book)
It’s nice to read about a friendship where the characters don’t all live super close to one another. While I enjoy reading about girlfriends who can meet up for coffee whenever they feel like it, I like this realistic portrayal of friendships, since people aren’t always in close proximity to their friends
And yet, in spite of the distance, the friends are very much there for each other (including Grace driving several hours to Julianne’s house, in the middle of the night)
I like that there are four best friends, as opposed to two sets of best friends. It’s fun to read about a group of girlfriends.
Additionally, I liked the family relationships portrayed in the book. I think books often explore sibling relationships, or parent-child relationships, but I enjoyed Eason’s twist, with two older siblings who watch out for their younger siblings. (And, in Julianne’s case, she is basically her sister’s guardian). It was also really fun that the little sisters, despite the five-year age gap, became friends with each other.
Perspectives
I believe there were five perspectives in the book, although the bulk of the focus was on Juliann and Clay. Eason did a fantastic job of building intrigue this way, as there were two minor characters, whose connection to the main characters was not initially apparent. And the shift from third to first person at one point. That totally threw me off, but in a good way, as in “this seems like a potentially risky choice on the author’s part, but it works!”
Mystery
After reading book one, I really felt the need to keep on my toes. I kept shuffling through possible suspects, as I didn’t want to be surprised by the revelation. (When an author does a good job surprising me, I’m impressed, but also sometimes offended haha. I want to figure it out!) I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on, and the mystery element was so well-written. As far as mystery/suspense goes, Eason has already become a favorite author.
Content Notes
There are multiple hostage situations, including deaths of hostages.
This is clearly referenced on the back cover, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend this book to someone who has experienced / been personally affected by a school shooting. We get several flashbacks to Julianne’s memory of the event.
There is a little bit of narration from the villain’s perspective. From what I recall, book one was “worse” in this regard and a lot creepier, overall. Comparatively, book two was less graphic/gruesome (although there was still a bit of death).
I think there was a little bit of kissing. Nothing too memorable which, for me, is a good thing!
There was one line about a character “always” having another character’s back. This is something I do see a bit of in Christian fiction, but I do believe that God is the only One who is ALWAYS there. This isn’t to discount the covenant of marriage, but humans are… human.
Recommendation Status
As much as I liked book one, I feel that I can more easily recommend book two. The plot was a lot less creepy, so I didn’t feel as weird about reading it. Additionally, I feel that the spiritual elements were a bit more memorable, in this book. I’m really enjoying Eason’s books and look forward to number three!
Scripture Connection
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph. 4:32
Spiritual Content
Julianne is a believer and prays, throughout the novel. Clay has distanced himself from God, in response to a tragic incident.
Forgiveness plays an important role in the novel, as does grace/mercy. There are multiple references to the sanctity of life, which I enjoy seeing in a Christian novel– all the more after the miraculous overturning of Roe.
There is also some discussion about free will and God’s sovereignty, as well as a scene I really enjoyed that touches on trusting God and not honoring bad circumstances over Him.
What I Liked
This is my second time reading a novel by Lynette Eason (my first was the first book in this series), and, again, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Eason has such a strong handle on the craft, and after beginning the book, I couldn’t help but think of the words of Josephine Barry (aka Diana’s Aunt Jo) in the Kevin Sullivan adaptation of Anne of Green Gables: “I like people who make me like them. Saves me so much trouble forcing myself to like them.”
As I thought of it, Crossfire was a book that “saved me the trouble” of making myself like it. There are so many books that start out slow and then pick up traction as you go along; this was not one of them. Eason swept me right into the action, from the start of the book, which is so refreshing!
Friends and Family
Book one introduced the friendship between four remarkable characters: Penny, Julianna, Grace and… Raina. Book one is about Penny and book two is about Julianna, so my guess is that the following books in the series will follow the other ladies.
There are several things I like about the characters’ friendship:
The women have been friends for almost two decades, and they became Christians, together (long before the start of the book)
It’s nice to read about a friendship where the characters don’t all live super close to one another. While I enjoy reading about girlfriends who can meet up for coffee whenever they feel like it, I like this realistic portrayal of friendships, since people aren’t always in close proximity to their friends
And yet, in spite of the distance, the friends are very much there for each other (including Grace driving several hours to Julianne’s house, in the middle of the night)
I like that there are four best friends, as opposed to two sets of best friends. It’s fun to read about a group of girlfriends.
Additionally, I liked the family relationships portrayed in the book. I think books often explore sibling relationships, or parent-child relationships, but I enjoyed Eason’s twist, with two older siblings who watch out for their younger siblings. (And, in Julianne’s case, she is basically her sister’s guardian). It was also really fun that the little sisters, despite the five-year age gap, became friends with each other.
Perspectives
I believe there were five perspectives in the book, although the bulk of the focus was on Juliann and Clay. Eason did a fantastic job of building intrigue this way, as there were two minor characters, whose connection to the main characters was not initially apparent. And the shift from third to first person at one point. That totally threw me off, but in a good way, as in “this seems like a potentially risky choice on the author’s part, but it works!”
Mystery
After reading book one, I really felt the need to keep on my toes. I kept shuffling through possible suspects, as I didn’t want to be surprised by the revelation. (When an author does a good job surprising me, I’m impressed, but also sometimes offended haha. I want to figure it out!) I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on, and the mystery element was so well-written. As far as mystery/suspense goes, Eason has already become a favorite author.
Content Notes
There are multiple hostage situations, including deaths of hostages.
This is clearly referenced on the back cover, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend this book to someone who has experienced / been personally affected by a school shooting. We get several flashbacks to Julianne’s memory of the event.
There is a little bit of narration from the villain’s perspective. From what I recall, book one was “worse” in this regard and a lot creepier, overall. Comparatively, book two was less graphic/gruesome (although there was still a bit of death).
I think there was a little bit of kissing. Nothing too memorable which, for me, is a good thing!
There was one line about a character “always” having another character’s back. This is something I do see a bit of in Christian fiction, but I do believe that God is the only One who is ALWAYS there. This isn’t to discount the covenant of marriage, but humans are… human.
Recommendation Status
As much as I liked book one, I feel that I can more easily recommend book two. The plot was a lot less creepy, so I didn’t feel as weird about reading it. Additionally, I feel that the spiritual elements were a bit more memorable, in this book. I’m really enjoying Eason’s books and look forward to number three!
July 19, 2022
Wow, Lynette Eason really ups the stakes in Crossfire! The action in this book starts on the first page and doesn't stop until the very end. I love the way that she kept me guessing throughout the entire story. Every time I thought I had something figured out, she threw in a whole new twist!
That's what I love about a good suspense story: you fall in love with the characters, get caught up in the action, and the next thing you know, you're in for a crazy ride - and Eason is a master of this genre. I want to be friends with all of her people, but keep me away from her bad side, because she dreams up some seriously interesting things. She takes each story a bit deeper and just a bit wilder - and that only makes it better.
I love when authors write about friends who are just really fantastic friends - the kind of friends who you know will be there for each other, no matter what - because you know the author's going to test that in crazy ways, right? That makes for a fantastic story and some really amazing characters. Eason took this one a step further. The two main characters in this book, Julianna and Clay, each had really amazing sisters. I'd love to see each of them have their own stories, but especially Dottie, Julianna's little sister, because while we get her basic backstory in this one, we don't really hear her side of things. Her spunk, determination, and kind heart will make her the perfect female lead in a future story.
Julianna and Clay aren't without those qualities, either. They have just enough to overcome that you can see the mountain of difficulties and you can feel their frustration - but you also see the determination and desire to save the day. We need heroes like these. We need books that showcase that light and the desire to make the world a better place in good ways. We need to see hope and character played out in realistic situations - and while I certainly don't want to see anyone fight the evil that Julianna and Clay do in this story, the headlines are full of similar situations. Crossfire shows us the other side of the story. In this book - in the Extreme Measures series - we see the side of the heroes who are fighting back against the bad. Crossfire is a good-versus-evil story at its very best.
Keep writing, Ms. Eason. We need more stories that are both entertaining and show us how good really can triumph.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
That's what I love about a good suspense story: you fall in love with the characters, get caught up in the action, and the next thing you know, you're in for a crazy ride - and Eason is a master of this genre. I want to be friends with all of her people, but keep me away from her bad side, because she dreams up some seriously interesting things. She takes each story a bit deeper and just a bit wilder - and that only makes it better.
I love when authors write about friends who are just really fantastic friends - the kind of friends who you know will be there for each other, no matter what - because you know the author's going to test that in crazy ways, right? That makes for a fantastic story and some really amazing characters. Eason took this one a step further. The two main characters in this book, Julianna and Clay, each had really amazing sisters. I'd love to see each of them have their own stories, but especially Dottie, Julianna's little sister, because while we get her basic backstory in this one, we don't really hear her side of things. Her spunk, determination, and kind heart will make her the perfect female lead in a future story.
Julianna and Clay aren't without those qualities, either. They have just enough to overcome that you can see the mountain of difficulties and you can feel their frustration - but you also see the determination and desire to save the day. We need heroes like these. We need books that showcase that light and the desire to make the world a better place in good ways. We need to see hope and character played out in realistic situations - and while I certainly don't want to see anyone fight the evil that Julianna and Clay do in this story, the headlines are full of similar situations. Crossfire shows us the other side of the story. In this book - in the Extreme Measures series - we see the side of the heroes who are fighting back against the bad. Crossfire is a good-versus-evil story at its very best.
Keep writing, Ms. Eason. We need more stories that are both entertaining and show us how good really can triumph.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 2, 2022
This one was a really intense thriller from page one, when criminals stage an escape right from a courtroom and a hostage situation unfolds soon after. But once the initial crime is under control, why is a stalker still on the loose? Is it connected?
I loved the characters in the story and the way it explores sibling relationships. It also had a neat angle on exploring some issues with troubled teens, with the hero’s job as a school resource officer.
I had a hard time guessing the bad guy on this one and I really liked the unusual twists. One of Eason’s most inventive story plots.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
I loved the characters in the story and the way it explores sibling relationships. It also had a neat angle on exploring some issues with troubled teens, with the hero’s job as a school resource officer.
I had a hard time guessing the bad guy on this one and I really liked the unusual twists. One of Eason’s most inventive story plots.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
April 18, 2022
Once again, Lynette Eason has blown me out of the water. She took my heart through a roller coaster of emotions with Crossfire. Rapid paced with enough mystery to keep my mind spinning, this ride was one I desperately wanted to reach the end of…while at the same time, get back in line to read it all over again. Typically, I have some negative feedback of some sort, even if it’s minor. With Crossfire by Lynette Eason, I can’t think of anything. Not a single darn worn. It’s probably because I was so drawn into the story that I couldn’t consider anything but Clay and Julianna. And, truth be told, I didn’t want to.
Romance books have stereotypes. This one did, too. Two characters with no prior association, meeting for the first time in dire circumstances. Sparks of attraction flew, but they didn’t let the tiny flames consume them. Instead, Eason wove the romance flawlessly into the plotline. It doesn’t distract from the story; instead, it adds another element that makes Crossfire even better. There’s no dramatic profession of love from either side (is that a spoiler?), but they feel fate pulling them together. And Clay and Julianna are willing to explore it…in time. There’s no rush to the altar or an engagement, thank you Lynette Eason. Crossfire is a slow burn to a healthy, growing relationship.
I loved seeing old characters return (hi, Penny and Holt), along with a couple of their closest friends, who I am sure will eventually receive love stories of their own. Eason described things without overdoing (or underdoing) it. She gives readers glimpses into the minds of the book’s major players, including an unknown individual whose true significance Eason does not reveal until close to the novel’s end. I enjoyed Crossfire’s tension and suspense, but honestly? I think I appreciated the subplot surrounding this particular character the most. Above the excitement, romance, and everything else. I’ll let everyone else discover why!
Crossfire by Lynette Eason is a model for the romantic suspense genre. After all the Eason books I’ve read, I’m starting to believe I should just say she’s one of the best authors of the genre today. There hasn’t been a single Eason book I haven’t enjoyed. Crossfire is no exception. Back to the roller coaster analogy: Some have seatbelts. Others have lap bars. For this one, you’ll want the shoulder/chest contraptions, because this ride never stops. It’ll steal the breath from your lungs all the way to the finish.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
Romance books have stereotypes. This one did, too. Two characters with no prior association, meeting for the first time in dire circumstances. Sparks of attraction flew, but they didn’t let the tiny flames consume them. Instead, Eason wove the romance flawlessly into the plotline. It doesn’t distract from the story; instead, it adds another element that makes Crossfire even better. There’s no dramatic profession of love from either side (is that a spoiler?), but they feel fate pulling them together. And Clay and Julianna are willing to explore it…in time. There’s no rush to the altar or an engagement, thank you Lynette Eason. Crossfire is a slow burn to a healthy, growing relationship.
I loved seeing old characters return (hi, Penny and Holt), along with a couple of their closest friends, who I am sure will eventually receive love stories of their own. Eason described things without overdoing (or underdoing) it. She gives readers glimpses into the minds of the book’s major players, including an unknown individual whose true significance Eason does not reveal until close to the novel’s end. I enjoyed Crossfire’s tension and suspense, but honestly? I think I appreciated the subplot surrounding this particular character the most. Above the excitement, romance, and everything else. I’ll let everyone else discover why!
Crossfire by Lynette Eason is a model for the romantic suspense genre. After all the Eason books I’ve read, I’m starting to believe I should just say she’s one of the best authors of the genre today. There hasn’t been a single Eason book I haven’t enjoyed. Crossfire is no exception. Back to the roller coaster analogy: Some have seatbelts. Others have lap bars. For this one, you’ll want the shoulder/chest contraptions, because this ride never stops. It’ll steal the breath from your lungs all the way to the finish.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
August 2, 2022
'Honestly, if he thought God would listen, he'd discard his pride and pray.'
Lynette Eason kicked off her Extreme Measures series in a powerful way and she continues with this second offering. She gives us a great plot, believable characters, and enough action to keep her readers captivated throughout. Then, as if that weren't enough, Eason throws in a 'no-one-saw-this coming' twist, total surprise here, then tops it with another one! Absolutely riveting! Completely blew me away. This book was just great. Well done!
I received a copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. The opinion here is totally my own.
Lynette Eason kicked off her Extreme Measures series in a powerful way and she continues with this second offering. She gives us a great plot, believable characters, and enough action to keep her readers captivated throughout. Then, as if that weren't enough, Eason throws in a 'no-one-saw-this coming' twist, total surprise here, then tops it with another one! Absolutely riveting! Completely blew me away. This book was just great. Well done!
I received a copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. The opinion here is totally my own.
May 12, 2024
3.5 stars
"It had been fifteen years since her life had gone terribly wrong. Most days, she managed not to think about it, but as the date grew closer and closer, it was all she could do to not think about it."
F. B. I. Special Agent Julianna Jameson was a professional negotiator; words were important to her. But she couldn't seem to talk herself out of the guilt and regret over the shooting death of one of her best friends nearly fifteen years ago. Answering the call to provide assistance when a courtroom scene turns deadly, she meets a brave young juror whose older brother is the School Resource Officer at the high school where Julianna's younger sister Dottie attends. What a coincidence!
In the process of expressing gratitude for ensuring his sister's safety, Clay Fox finds himself intrigued with the beautiful, composed F. B. I. agent. Unfortunately, his former life as an army sniper has left him with some pretty heavy emotional baggage, making him hesitant to form emotional attachments . . up until now. Following the courthouse incident, an inexplicable turn of events throws Clay and Julianna together once again. Has a copycat criminal risen to the surface or is something far more sinister going on?
"Tick tock, the time has come.
Tick tock, the hands have spun. . . . . .
Blood stains your hands, death haunts your soul,
Your empty words, a vast black hole."
Enjoy this masterful tapestry of romantic suspense where being in the crossfire is a mighty dangerous place to be, and yet . . . . "Hope is good. Hope is very good."
"It had been fifteen years since her life had gone terribly wrong. Most days, she managed not to think about it, but as the date grew closer and closer, it was all she could do to not think about it."
F. B. I. Special Agent Julianna Jameson was a professional negotiator; words were important to her. But she couldn't seem to talk herself out of the guilt and regret over the shooting death of one of her best friends nearly fifteen years ago. Answering the call to provide assistance when a courtroom scene turns deadly, she meets a brave young juror whose older brother is the School Resource Officer at the high school where Julianna's younger sister Dottie attends. What a coincidence!
In the process of expressing gratitude for ensuring his sister's safety, Clay Fox finds himself intrigued with the beautiful, composed F. B. I. agent. Unfortunately, his former life as an army sniper has left him with some pretty heavy emotional baggage, making him hesitant to form emotional attachments . . up until now. Following the courthouse incident, an inexplicable turn of events throws Clay and Julianna together once again. Has a copycat criminal risen to the surface or is something far more sinister going on?
"Tick tock, the time has come.
Tick tock, the hands have spun. . . . . .
Blood stains your hands, death haunts your soul,
Your empty words, a vast black hole."
Enjoy this masterful tapestry of romantic suspense where being in the crossfire is a mighty dangerous place to be, and yet . . . . "Hope is good. Hope is very good."
August 20, 2024
What can I say??? This book was enthralling! I loved the characters and plot and romance and suspense. Julianna is an awesome character and I loved seeing everyone there. Definitely my fav in the series so far!
2024:
Honestly such a good book! I love the negotiator aspect because we don’t get to see that a lot. Clay’s background as a SRO played into the story and added another interest. There are so many reasons I love this book. The faith content is AMAZING! There are so many great discussions, and we see the characters live out their faith.
Content: minor violence (up to semi-detailed), mentions of past attempted (but failed) suicide, shooting (school), minor romance, maybe on kiss?
2024:
Honestly such a good book! I love the negotiator aspect because we don’t get to see that a lot. Clay’s background as a SRO played into the story and added another interest. There are so many reasons I love this book. The faith content is AMAZING! There are so many great discussions, and we see the characters live out their faith.
Content: minor violence (up to semi-detailed), mentions of past attempted (but failed) suicide, shooting (school), minor romance, maybe on kiss?
September 10, 2022
The cover of this book is one of Lynette Eason’s best to date. The yellow tone is gorgeous, and I love that tree-packed landscape too.
A hostage negotiator was featured, and that job, when well written, is a huge magnet that draws me in. This one was spectacularly done. I especially enjoyed how many times the negotiation came up throughout the novel. It did not feel glossed over in the least; instead, it was presented in a way that made it feel like the author had personally experienced such events. That’s the sign of a great writer, if you ask me.
While this book was packed with action and suspense, there were some sweet moments that allowed me to catch my breath too. The sock-tossing scenes were entertaining, and the moments between the sisters were some of my favorite of the calmed-down scenes.
As with most, if not all, of Mrs. Eason’s previous books, this one was family oriented. The leading lady was the guardian of her little sister, which is a familial experience not typically highlighted in Christian fiction. It was handled so well here that the bar has been moved higher for those sibling-guardian books that will be written from here on out.
School shootings were featured but not in the typical way. One was in memory form, while the other was not a mass shooting event but rather more targeted. It was interesting to see this take on this type of social tragedy, because it presented very personal cases of what it can look like to see cries for help before these sorts of events happen as well as different ways in which they may be resolved.
It was fantastic to see how Dottie dealt with a bully during a crisis. I can’t really say more than that without spoiling anything, but my heart melted and tears gushed to the surface so that I had to blink fast and hard to be able to continue reading. That moment near the end of the book was a prime example of how a caring heart can make a huge difference in the lives of those around us.
The insanity one character was immersed in was so well written that it gave me chills and made me check my own mind after reading certain scenes. I loved how exquisitely this character was written, and this added a richness to the story in a different sort of way. It was perfect for this book’s plot and definitely made it one to remember.
There was one point of view that felt completely random. However, I felt like that was on purpose even as I was confused by it, because Mrs. Eason doesn���t do random. She always has a design in play, and I knew that would be the case here. I’m so glad I reserved judgment until the end, because when I figured out the connection on the page before the final chapter, my brain exploded and every moment of foreshadowing flashed through my mind. I kept thinking, “You foreshadowed it here… and there… and again here!” I loved that moment! This is a book I will read again with the intent to study how Mrs. Eason so exquisitely layered in the foreshadowing so that I didn’t see that big revelation coming. Hopefully this is something I can learn to apply in my own writing as well, because it was something I really enjoyed about this book.
I can hardly wait for the next two books in the Extreme Measures series!
Content: alcohol
A hostage negotiator was featured, and that job, when well written, is a huge magnet that draws me in. This one was spectacularly done. I especially enjoyed how many times the negotiation came up throughout the novel. It did not feel glossed over in the least; instead, it was presented in a way that made it feel like the author had personally experienced such events. That’s the sign of a great writer, if you ask me.
While this book was packed with action and suspense, there were some sweet moments that allowed me to catch my breath too. The sock-tossing scenes were entertaining, and the moments between the sisters were some of my favorite of the calmed-down scenes.
As with most, if not all, of Mrs. Eason’s previous books, this one was family oriented. The leading lady was the guardian of her little sister, which is a familial experience not typically highlighted in Christian fiction. It was handled so well here that the bar has been moved higher for those sibling-guardian books that will be written from here on out.
School shootings were featured but not in the typical way. One was in memory form, while the other was not a mass shooting event but rather more targeted. It was interesting to see this take on this type of social tragedy, because it presented very personal cases of what it can look like to see cries for help before these sorts of events happen as well as different ways in which they may be resolved.
It was fantastic to see how Dottie dealt with a bully during a crisis. I can’t really say more than that without spoiling anything, but my heart melted and tears gushed to the surface so that I had to blink fast and hard to be able to continue reading. That moment near the end of the book was a prime example of how a caring heart can make a huge difference in the lives of those around us.
The insanity one character was immersed in was so well written that it gave me chills and made me check my own mind after reading certain scenes. I loved how exquisitely this character was written, and this added a richness to the story in a different sort of way. It was perfect for this book’s plot and definitely made it one to remember.
There was one point of view that felt completely random. However, I felt like that was on purpose even as I was confused by it, because Mrs. Eason doesn���t do random. She always has a design in play, and I knew that would be the case here. I’m so glad I reserved judgment until the end, because when I figured out the connection on the page before the final chapter, my brain exploded and every moment of foreshadowing flashed through my mind. I kept thinking, “You foreshadowed it here… and there… and again here!” I loved that moment! This is a book I will read again with the intent to study how Mrs. Eason so exquisitely layered in the foreshadowing so that I didn’t see that big revelation coming. Hopefully this is something I can learn to apply in my own writing as well, because it was something I really enjoyed about this book.
I can hardly wait for the next two books in the Extreme Measures series!
Content: alcohol
September 8, 2022
This book starts off with a terrifying hostage situation and this is just a preview of what's to come! Crossfire is an exciting, pulse-altering story filled with danger, suspense, and great character development. I was fascinated with the methods of skilled hostage negotiator Julianna Jameson, but I also admired her efforts to provide a stable home for her teenage sister. Clay Fox is a school resource officer haunted by his tragic past but still determined to make a difference. Especially when a hostage situation occurs that is Julianna's worst nightmare!
Realistic characters and events that could be torn from today's news make Crossfire totally believable, and there is also a powerful faith message woven into the plot. Trust and forgiveness are lessons that need to be learned, as Julianna and Clay struggle to determine their feelings for each other. This is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, but it can easily be read alone. Lynette Eason demonstrates her ability to captivate readers and I highly recommend Crossfire to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense.
I received a copy of this book through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review.
Realistic characters and events that could be torn from today's news make Crossfire totally believable, and there is also a powerful faith message woven into the plot. Trust and forgiveness are lessons that need to be learned, as Julianna and Clay struggle to determine their feelings for each other. This is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, but it can easily be read alone. Lynette Eason demonstrates her ability to captivate readers and I highly recommend Crossfire to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense.
I received a copy of this book through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review.
August 20, 2022
Crossfire is a good addition to the Extreme Measures series. It is book two, but can definitely be read as a stand alone novel.
Both of the main characters had traumatic backstories. Clay’s trouble was from a year earlier, yet he still carried guilt related to the situation. Julianna’s trauma was from fifteen years earlier, but the horrific nature of the situation not only impacted the way she did her job as a hostage negotiator but caused her a lot of emotional turmoil.
I liked getting a look into the way Julianna approached negotiating and they way the team and SWAT members worked together in these dangerous situations. I also really enjoyed seeing the strong sibling relationships that both Clay and Julianna had with their younger sisters.
I enjoyed this intense novel and look forward to reading the next story in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Both of the main characters had traumatic backstories. Clay’s trouble was from a year earlier, yet he still carried guilt related to the situation. Julianna’s trauma was from fifteen years earlier, but the horrific nature of the situation not only impacted the way she did her job as a hostage negotiator but caused her a lot of emotional turmoil.
I liked getting a look into the way Julianna approached negotiating and they way the team and SWAT members worked together in these dangerous situations. I also really enjoyed seeing the strong sibling relationships that both Clay and Julianna had with their younger sisters.
I enjoyed this intense novel and look forward to reading the next story in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
August 27, 2022
Wowzers, what an amazing second book in the Extreme Measures series! I have been reading Lynette Eason for almost ten years now, I’ve read nearly all of her books, and she is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors!
Crossfire was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it most definitely did not disappoint! This book throws you right into the action at the very beginning, and keeps you flipping pages at breakneck speed to find out what happens!
I loved Julianna and Clay, they are both awesome characters and it was a joy to watch their relationship develop. I loved that Julianna is an FBI Hostage Negotiator, which is not a profession you see featured often, in fact I think this might be the first book with a negotiator heroine I’ve read since reading The Negotiator by Dee Henderson years ago!
The faith story in this book is excellent! Lynette Eason delivers a beautiful story of grace and forgiveness, while simultaneously showing the evil some people are capable of if they allow themselves to be consumed with hatred and bitterness.
In each of her books this author always includes several scenes from the villain’s point of view, but I believe Crossfire is the first time she has written those scenes in first person POV (the rest of the book is in third person)
I found this fascinating and loved that she wrote it that way! The first person narration of those scenes also kept the reader from being able to know whether the villain was a man or a woman, and I thought that was absolutely brilliant, well done Lynette Eason!
Crossfire is a winner! I loved every minute I spent reading this book! I think I might have loved Life Flight the tiniest bit more than Crossfire, but this one is still a solid five star read for me and definitely a favorite of 2022!
I highly recommend Crossfire, and I cannot wait to read the third book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
Crossfire was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it most definitely did not disappoint! This book throws you right into the action at the very beginning, and keeps you flipping pages at breakneck speed to find out what happens!
I loved Julianna and Clay, they are both awesome characters and it was a joy to watch their relationship develop. I loved that Julianna is an FBI Hostage Negotiator, which is not a profession you see featured often, in fact I think this might be the first book with a negotiator heroine I’ve read since reading The Negotiator by Dee Henderson years ago!
The faith story in this book is excellent! Lynette Eason delivers a beautiful story of grace and forgiveness, while simultaneously showing the evil some people are capable of if they allow themselves to be consumed with hatred and bitterness.
In each of her books this author always includes several scenes from the villain’s point of view, but I believe Crossfire is the first time she has written those scenes in first person POV (the rest of the book is in third person)
I found this fascinating and loved that she wrote it that way! The first person narration of those scenes also kept the reader from being able to know whether the villain was a man or a woman, and I thought that was absolutely brilliant, well done Lynette Eason!
Crossfire is a winner! I loved every minute I spent reading this book! I think I might have loved Life Flight the tiniest bit more than Crossfire, but this one is still a solid five star read for me and definitely a favorite of 2022!
I highly recommend Crossfire, and I cannot wait to read the third book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
August 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this one! There were lots of twists and turns, and Juliana was a great character. It was rather dark, but I still had fun!
July 3, 2023
Whoops, I forgot to even mark this as currently reading. It was an ok book if you like hostage situations and FBI. but there was a nothing remarkable about it.
See Lindsey's from Books for Christian Girls review for a full content warning!
See Lindsey's from Books for Christian Girls review for a full content warning!
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March 1, 2023Crossfire is a thrilling, dramatic addition to the Extreme Measures series. The story centers around FBI Negotiator Julianna James and former Army Ranger Clay Fox who unite to protect family members, rescue hostages, and find a killer while also struggling with emotional traumas from their pasts. The expertly woven, multi-layered plot drew me in with the first line and kept me hanging on every word as the story progressed toward the satisfying ending. Ms. Eason effectively conveys the feelings of her diverse characters making them come alive. Julianna, Clay, Dottie, and Reese captured my heart. Warm romantic undertones and a gentle faith element added depth to the read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book written by a master of romantic suspense, and I highly recommend it. Note: Even though this book is part of a series, it can be easily read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 9, 2022
I LOVED this story! It was a fantastic read that I could not put down. I really enjoyed the mystery of this one, it so well written along with a couple of subplots that really add to the overall story. I have been a longtime Lynette Eason reader, and this is absolutely one of her best! My favorite character in the story was Dottie, and I also liked the high school classmates of Dottie we meet though the story. I loved that Clay was an SRO(school resource officer) as that added a really great element to the storyline. This was a great read and now I am super excited for the next book in the series!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
August 1, 2022
rossfire by Lynette Eason is a sweet revenge story sprinkled with romance and sisterly love. Right from the opening chapter, Eason draws readers into the action with a court scene and the explosive power of everything going wrong. From then on, Eason keeps her foot on the gas, putting her characters through harrowing events after events. Anything to keep the pace of the novel on the rocks. Just the way I enjoy my suspense novels. As for the romance, it really does not take away from the suspense, it just happens on the sidelines of the plot, which is the way that I like my romance in a novel. As for the characters, Julianna cares a lot about her little sister. Even enough that she allows her little sister to move in with her to remove herself from the disastrous environment of her home life. A nice quality in a character to have. A heart that puts others before herself. As for the hero, he also has something from his past, which hero really does not, that affects his present day world. As for the story, it was a little different with a harrowing feat of heroics, but overall, it lines right up with what fans are expecting from Eason. Nothing but a non-stop thrill ride. Overall, Crossfire by Lynette Eason will delight romantic suspense fans and keep readers guessing to the climactic explosive ending.
I received a complimentary copy of Crossfire by Lynette Eason from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of Crossfire by Lynette Eason from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
July 5, 2022
“Extreme Measures” book #2
This is an intense story of revenge and redemption written by a master of suspense. It tells how special agent Julianna Jameson, a top-notch negotiator, path crossed with former sniper Clay Fox when she was called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay’s sister Reese, who was one of the hostage. One situation led to another and love is in the air...
This story is a winner very hard to put down. From the opening pages I stayed glued to the mystery. Well-thought out action that never ceased coming. When a copycat situation emerged a week later I loved how Julianna and Clay were sent on a cat and mouse chase while the perpetrator escaped after killing several hostages. It didn’t take long for Julianna to suspect those behind may be led by someone from her past. This story has great character development and excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what would come next.
This is expertly plotted to keep the suspense moving at a relentless pace and the high octane momentum is with us till the breath stealing conclusion. The narrative as always is clean and sends a message that we are not alone “God” whoever he may be is with us. Of course sweet romance is effortlessly weaved into this suspense novel.
I received this ARC from the Publisher Revell via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
This is an intense story of revenge and redemption written by a master of suspense. It tells how special agent Julianna Jameson, a top-notch negotiator, path crossed with former sniper Clay Fox when she was called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay’s sister Reese, who was one of the hostage. One situation led to another and love is in the air...
This story is a winner very hard to put down. From the opening pages I stayed glued to the mystery. Well-thought out action that never ceased coming. When a copycat situation emerged a week later I loved how Julianna and Clay were sent on a cat and mouse chase while the perpetrator escaped after killing several hostages. It didn’t take long for Julianna to suspect those behind may be led by someone from her past. This story has great character development and excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what would come next.
This is expertly plotted to keep the suspense moving at a relentless pace and the high octane momentum is with us till the breath stealing conclusion. The narrative as always is clean and sends a message that we are not alone “God” whoever he may be is with us. Of course sweet romance is effortlessly weaved into this suspense novel.
I received this ARC from the Publisher Revell via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
July 9, 2022
What a thrilling story! FBI negotiator Julianna Jameson keeps her cool in dire circumstances. She became a negotiator because of a traumatic experience in her past. Now it becomes personal and those she loves are caught in the crossfire. Former Army Ranger Clay Fox meets Julianna when his sister is held hostage in a courtroom case gone wrong. I could not stop turning pages!! Author Lynette Eason is one of the best in the romantic suspense genre, her talented writing grabs you on the first page and keeps you guessing until the very end! I loved how Lynette Eason takes two characters each with some unresolved traumatic experiences, who meet in a dire situation, and builds in trust and mutual attraction. And they each have wonderful sisters, I love the added family dynamic. Such a good story! I highly recommend Crossfire!
Thank you to the author and publisher Revell for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author and publisher Revell for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2022
It is about impossible for me to pick a favorite author, but Lynette Eason is one of my top favorites. She just keeps getting better with each book and series, and this book proves that to be true.
Eason wastes no time launching into the action and suspense in this book, starting on the first page with a hostage situation at a courthouse. The idea of hostage negotiations fascinates me, and though this book is fiction, I found the process and the thought process of the fictional negotiator that is likely based on research the author did for her book.
With the heroine of the story being a hostage negotiator, that played a big role in the book, and Eason did a great job portraying and describing the action and tension in each situation, and the job made Julianna an extremely interesting character.
Clay was the main male character/hero of the story. I was not sure what a SRO (School Resource Officer) was, so I used Google to learn a little more. His entrance into the story was a little different than most main male characters, but he was a great and likable character.
If there is a theme to this book, it would be forgiveness and trust. Both Clay and Julianna had to forgive themselves for what had happened in the past. They both also had to forgive others, and the plot had a lot to do with the need of forgiveness needed but not given.
Romance was rather low key in the book. It was there, but took a backseat to everything else that was happening. And a lot happened. This was one of those non stop action and suspense novels that was indeed difficult to put down. And I had the day off, so there was no need to put it down.
The book had a great suspenseful and climatic ending with a surprise I kind of saw coming, but didn't see what exactly would happen or what players would be involved.
And the actual final ending was humorous and involved socks and a televised baseball game. (Read the book to find out.)
Crossfire shows again why Lynette Eason is such a popular author as she again delivers pulse pounding suspense that is also Christian, clean, and top quality.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
Eason wastes no time launching into the action and suspense in this book, starting on the first page with a hostage situation at a courthouse. The idea of hostage negotiations fascinates me, and though this book is fiction, I found the process and the thought process of the fictional negotiator that is likely based on research the author did for her book.
With the heroine of the story being a hostage negotiator, that played a big role in the book, and Eason did a great job portraying and describing the action and tension in each situation, and the job made Julianna an extremely interesting character.
Clay was the main male character/hero of the story. I was not sure what a SRO (School Resource Officer) was, so I used Google to learn a little more. His entrance into the story was a little different than most main male characters, but he was a great and likable character.
If there is a theme to this book, it would be forgiveness and trust. Both Clay and Julianna had to forgive themselves for what had happened in the past. They both also had to forgive others, and the plot had a lot to do with the need of forgiveness needed but not given.
Romance was rather low key in the book. It was there, but took a backseat to everything else that was happening. And a lot happened. This was one of those non stop action and suspense novels that was indeed difficult to put down. And I had the day off, so there was no need to put it down.
The book had a great suspenseful and climatic ending with a surprise I kind of saw coming, but didn't see what exactly would happen or what players would be involved.
And the actual final ending was humorous and involved socks and a televised baseball game. (Read the book to find out.)
Crossfire shows again why Lynette Eason is such a popular author as she again delivers pulse pounding suspense that is also Christian, clean, and top quality.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
November 11, 2022
Crossfire is nerve-wracking, on your toes from the very beginning. Julianna Jamieson is a negotiator for the FBI, even though she is cool and calm under pressure, the fifteen-year anniversary is coming up since her ex-boyfriend killed her friend Kane. It's not something she talks about a lot but it's something that she hasn't yet completely dealt with, her nightmares. I really enjoyed her relationship with her younger half-sister, Dottie. They both endured a lot of trauma in their young lives because of their parents, but they are both trying to move beyond as best as they can. The romance between Clay and Julianna is not forced, which in my opinion can be hastily (it seems) put together in this type of genre, I liked it and I liked Clay's character as well.
August 12, 2023
This one kept me on my toes! Since I'm not a fan of antagonist POV, I have to say that element was extremely well done in this story. There are lots of hurting people amidst the cast of characters, yet many find healing (or at least hope) by the end. Both the power of unforgiveness and forgiveness are highlighted by the plot built on a solid foundation of faith (free will). I am personally thankful for a light-hearted ending after all the intensity of the action.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. As owner of JustRead Publicity Tours, I received compensation from the publisher and/or author to coordinate a promotional tour for this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. As owner of JustRead Publicity Tours, I received compensation from the publisher and/or author to coordinate a promotional tour for this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
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