With a death squad in pursuit…
A fugitive needs the help of a wounded warrior.
An elite CIA kill squad has located hacker Zenobia
Hanley's Alaska wilderness hideout. With commandos hot on Zee's heels, she's
saved from capture by her neighbor John Lowry. Zee has kept her yearning for
the SEAL, who has a disability, in check to shield him. But, despite her
secrets, John's determined to protect Zee regardless of the risks. Because
there's more at stake this Christmas than just their lives.
A fantastic book full of non-stop action, many twists and
turns, and a terrific romance between two hurting people. Zee is the computer
hacker member of Topaz Unit, a former CIA unit whose last mission didn't go as
planned. It quickly became apparent that they were set up, and the only
questions were who and why? To make matters worse, the CIA sent a hit squad
after them, determined to stop them from asking questions. In this book, Zee
has settled in a remote cabin in Alaska, where she keeps to herself. The only
exception is the wary friendship she's built with her next-door neighbor, John.
John is a former Navy SEAL, injured in the line of duty,
and medically retired. He has PTSD and prefers to live his life away from
people. The Alaskan wilderness suits him perfectly. He first got to know Zee as
he helped the city girl learn to deal with the Alaskan challenges. He senses
that she has secrets, but he doesn't pry since he does too.
The story's suspense was outstanding and kept me hooked
from beginning to end. Zee uses her hacking skills to search for what went
wrong with Topaz Unit's last mission. As good as she is, a too-long dip into
the CIA's system raised flags and gave away her location. The latest kill squad
has an unexpected complication. The group leader also has personal reasons for
wanting Zee dead, and nothing will stop him. His ruthlessness is evident the
first time we see him and his horrific actions at the computer club. The
intensity ramps up when John spots the squad as they arrive near Zee's cabin,
warns her and immediately jumps in to help her escape. I was on the edge of my
seat as I wondered how they would get away, but Zee's abilities and John's SEAL
skills made it happen. Though Zee tried hard to push John away to protect him, including
a harsh exchange of words, John refused to give up on her.
The action never lets up as Zee and John struggle to stay
ahead of the kill squad. An added complication came when Zee insisted on retrieving
her daughter, Olivia, from her school. The shocking revelation of Olivia's
father's identity added to the tension of the pursuit. The twists, turns, and
intensity of the killers' intent kept me glued to the pages as each
confrontation increased the pressure. The final confrontation was a nail-biter
as Zee faced off against her pursuer. The conclusion was not unexpected as Zee,
John, and Olivia used team leader Hunter's "parachute" to get away. The
epilogue indicates that a showdown is coming and that the team is ready to bring
the fight to their accusers.
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship
between Zee and John. After months of sharing dinners, watching movies, and
just spending time together, their attraction continues to grow. Neither one
does anything about it because they don't want to risk their friendship. When
trouble comes, Zee tries to put distance between them to protect John from
those who are after her. However, John refuses to be pushed aside. I loved his
protectiveness and how he insisted on helping her. Once Zee accepted that he
wasn't going anywhere, their partnership was fantastic. I loved seeing them trust
each other enough to share their secrets and depend on each other to have their
backs. Burned by a past relationship, Zee resists the feelings stirred up by
John. I loved watching John's unwavering care begin to break down her walls. John's
instant connection with Zee's daughter, Olivia, also went a long way toward
helping Zee trust her feelings for him. I loved the epilogue and seeing how
much closer John and Zee are. There's an adorable scene between John and Olivia,
followed by an emotional one with Zee and John. 
A fugitive needs the help of a wounded warrior.
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