ANGEL (Linear Tactical #4) by Janie Crouch-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 16, 2019

Even angels have their demons

Jordan Reiss is well aware that if she was on fire the entire town of Oak Creek would probably go inside and make a sandwich. She can’t blame them. Her father scammed half the town out of their retirement funds, and then she…

She did so much worse.

She doesn’t expect forgiveness. But she’s back in town with no other options and just wants to be left alone to live on the fierce Wyoming land she’s missed so much during her six years in prison.

Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood’s callsign may have been Angel, but he’ll be anything but to protect his sister. Especially from a pretty ex-con who has somehow weaseled her way into a job at his sister’s new bakery.

He doesn’t trust Jordan, even with her big gray eyes and quiet smile.

But when someone decides its time for Jordan to leave Oak Creek—preferably in a body bag—Gabe will have to put his distrust aside. Jordan needs her own guardian angel. And he happens to be one.

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REVIEW: ANGEL is the fourth instalment in Janie Crouch’s contemporary, adult LINEAR TACTICAL romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former Special Forces soldiers who own and operate Linear Tactical, an Oak Creek, Wyoming business specializing in survival skills, security and protection. This is twenty-three year old Jordan Reiss, and thirty-two year old former Navy SEAL and owner of Collingwood Technology Gabriel ‘Angel’ Collingwood’s story line. ANGEL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

NOTE: Some of the events in ANGEL run parallel to, and cross over with some of the events in book three-SHAMROCK.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jordan and Gabriel) ANGEL follows the acrimonious relationship between twenty-three year old Jordan Reiss, and thirty-two year old former Navy SEAL and owner of Collingwood Technology Gabriel ‘Angel’ Collingwood. Eight years earlier Jordan’s world imploded when her sole surviving parent, Michael Reiss, scammed the town of Oak Creek Wyoming out of their retirement savings. Two years later, working several jobs to stay afloat our heroine is sentenced to six years for the death of a mother and child caused when she fell asleep at the wheel of her car. Fast forward to present day wherein Jordan returns to Oak Creek, Wyoming in an attempt to start over. Jordan, now persona non grata and the town pariah becomes the target of many twisted and unforgiving minds including former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood, who is desperate to protect his sister, the woman who hired Jordan at the local bakery shop. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Jordan and Gabriel, and the fall-out as issues of trust, betrayal, lies and secrets continue to send Jordan’s life spiralling out of control.

All Jordan Reiss wants is to be left alone; to earn a little money to clothe and feed herself but the town of Oak Creek, Wyoming refuses to leave our heroine alone. From her father’s illegal scams that destroyed the small town, to the accident that killed a mother and child, Jordan is unable to forgive herself, or forget about the past. Falling for Gabriel Collingwood gave Jordan a hope for the future but like most of the townsfolk Gabriel struggles to look beyond the past.

The relationship between Gabriel and Jordan struggles in the face of preconceived notions, and Jordan’s history in Oak Creek, Wyoming. No longer a prisoner, yet still a prisoner, none the less, Jordan hides in plain sight as she continues to be the target of people looking for revenge, as well as the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to Aiden Teague and Violet Collingwood (Shamrock #3), Finn Bollinger and Charlie Devereaux (Eagle #2), Zac Mackay and Anne Griffin (Cyclone #1); Linear Tactical warrior Dorian Lindstrom; Sheriff Curtis Nelson; as well as a number of business owners and townsfolk desperate to right a wrong brought upon Oak Creek by Jordan’s father Michael Reiss.

ANGEL is a story of betrayal, forgiveness, greed and love. The premise is heart breaking and powerful; the characters are energetic and dynamic but flawed; the romance is gritty and raw. ANGEL is an impassioned and emotional story of one woman’s struggle to move on from the past.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cyclone
Eagle
Shamrock

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy