GHOST (Linear Tactical #5) by Janie Crouch-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 21, 2019

Everyone eventually breaks under torture.

It’s a truth elite solider and government agent Dorian Lindstrom, codename Ghost, knows firsthand. His body may have recovered from what was done to him in that Afghani prison six years ago, but his mind…not quite so much.

He’s seeing dead people.

Grace Brandt, government codename Wraith, knows her past can’t be forgiven. She has stayed “dead” for as long as she could, but now the forces she’s been fighting, the secrets slowly suffocating her, won’t stay hidden any longer.

And the man she helped break—the man she’s always loved—is the only one who can stop the danger threatening them all.

When it comes to keeping the people he loves safe, including the one who thinks she’s not worthy of it, there is no danger—past, present or future—Dorian won’t battle.

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REVIEW: GHOST is the fifth 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 government agent Dorian ‘Ghost’ Lindstrom, and agent Grace ‘Wraith’ aka Ray Brandt’s story line. GHOST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Dorian and Grace aka Ray) GHOST follows in the wake of Grace Brandt’s return from the dead. Six years earlier Grace Brandt died trying to save the man that she loved but in doing so led Dorian Lindstrom straight into the arms of the enemy, an enemy that tortured and broke our story line hero. Fast forward to present day wherein Grace now known as Ray, has returned from the dead with news that not all is at it appears to be. The government sanctioned Black Ops group known as Project Crypt, a group of which Ghost, Wraith and the others once belonged, had gone rogue, and was working off the books in an attempt to dominate and control. What ensues us the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Ray and Dorian, and the potential fall-out as the truth is revealed, and Ray’s life hangs in the balance from sins of the past.

Dorian Lindstrom barely survived the torture endured in the Afghanistan prison but six years later, coming face to face with the woman he had tried to save meant a possible second chance for our story line hero. Grace ‘Ray’ Brandt had secrets of her own, secrets that once revealed would threaten everyone Dorian loved. Project Crypt was still in control, a control that dominated our story line couple.

The relationship between Dorian and Ray is one of second chances; a rekindling relationship between former lovers who were destroyed by secrets and lies; power and control. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful 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); Jordan Reiss and Gabriel Collingwood (Angel #4); Heath “Shadow’ Kavanagh; Mason ‘Phantom’ Wyndham; Sheriff Curtis Nelson; as well as Project Crypt leader Dr. Timothy Holloman , and agent Angela Landry.

GHOST is a story of secrets, betrayal, vengeance and lies; second chances and forgiveness; retribution, power and revelations. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are broken, spirited and intense.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Cyclone
Eagle
Shamrock
Angel
Ghost

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy