Rescuing children is her life's mission.
Saving this one is paramount.
FBI agent Madeline Striker's new case feels deeply
personal. The kidnapped daughter of tech CEO Jackson Rhodes is the same age her
sister was when she was abducted. The kidnap specialist's fierce determination
to rescue Jackson's child forges a powerful bond between them, but they can't
allow their intense attraction to divert their focus. Because a vindictive
enemy is threatening the child's life.
Fantastic book. I read it in one sitting - finished at 3
am because I couldn't put it down. The intensity of the suspense kept me
turning the pages, and the sparks between Madeline and Jackson added a
different kind of tension.
CEO and single father Jackson's daughter Emma is the
center of his life, with his business a close second. His life upends when Emma
is kidnapped from right under his nose at the company's Family Day. Accustomed
to being in control of his world, relying on others for help is a struggle. His
attraction to Madeline, the FBI's kidnapping specialist, is a distraction he
doesn't need.
Madeline's work for the FBI stems from personal
experience. Her little sister was kidnapped when Madeline was eight years old
and never found, and she wants to keep other families from suffering the way
hers did. Her success rate speaks for itself and her determination. Staying
focused on the search takes precedence over any attraction she feels for the
child's father.
The twists and turns of this story kept me guessing right
to the end. The kidnapper clearly had a very personal motive, and their
vindictive demands and taunting succeeded in tormenting Jackson. Because of his
control issues, Jackson can't sit back and leave it all in the hands of the
experts. He frequently gets an idea and rushes to pursue it, much to Madeline's
frustration. Attempts to rein him in partially succeed, only because Madeline
insists that he work with her. Every time it looks like they have a viable
suspect, something proves them wrong. Meanwhile, the kidnapper alters the
demands, changes timelines, and carries out attacks that serve as distractions,
misdirections, or just plain taunting.
I was glued to the pages as the team closed in on the
kidnapper's identity. The intensity picked up as Madeline went off to follow a
lead while the rest of the group pursued another. Unsurprisingly, Madeline had
the right one and found herself facing the kidnapper on her own. The final
confrontation was a nail-biter as Madeline went up against a psychopath determined
to kill her. The resolution was excellent, with Jackson playing a critical
part.
I liked the romance between Jackson and Madeline. They
connected over their determination to rescue Emma. Madeline's personal
experience added to that connection. As they worked together, each found a
partner who understood the stresses and requirements of the jobs they do. This
opened their eyes to the possibilities of the future. The sparks between them
continue to grow though they work hard to keep it under control. They mostly
succeed, except for one time when attraction and relief combine in an explosive
encounter. I liked that both agreed on poor timing but the potential for the
future. One of my favorite things about this story is that there was no three-day
journey to "I love you. Marry me." However, the ending gave me a satisfying
feeling that this couple has a realistic chance of a happy future together.
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