Lethal Reprisal (Crimson Point Protectors 8) by Kaylea Cross-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 25, 2023

•She thought he was dead.

Marley Abrams is no stranger to heartbreak, but her world was ripped apart when she got a call telling her the man she loved was dead. She’s mourned him ever since, struggling to pick up the pieces and make a new life for herself. Until one night when an unexpected threat hits too close to home…and he suddenly walks through her door, very much alive.

Now he’s back…and something deadly has followed him.

Warwick James has been living a half-life since nearly dying in an explosion on an op sixteen months ago. In the aftermath he was forced to make the impossible decision to let Marley believe he was dead in order to protect her. Because danger is stalking him. He can feel it, even if he can’t prove it, and the gaps in his memory make it impossible to put the pieces together. He tried to keep his distance, but when the danger stalking him threatens her, he can’t stay in the shadows any longer. Now forced to go on the run together, he’ll do whatever it takes to win her back—but first he’ll have to keep them both alive.

•••••

REVIEW: LETHAL REPRISAL is the eighth and final instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT PROTECTORS erotic, romantic, military suspense series. This is former British SAS soldier Warwick James, and nursing home worker Marley Abrams’ story line. LETHAL REPRISAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Marley and Warwick LETHAL REPRISAL follows sixteen months after the disappearance and supposed death of our story line hero. Warwick James had met Marley Abram’s while vacationing in the Bahamas but a call to duty meant saying good bye to the woman with whom he was falling in love. A botched mission, and a call to Marley Abrams that Warwick had died meant Warwick had to time to ferret out the truth. Fast forward to present day, Warwick is desperate to reunite with the woman he loves but Marley is struggling with Warwick’s secrets and lies, lies that left Marley battling grief for over a year. All is not well upon Warwick’s return, and our couple find themselves a target of an unknown foe. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Marley and Warwick, and the potential fall-out as more than one killer has taken aim at Warwick James.

The world building continues to focus on the small community of Crimson Point where the Crimson Point security find themselves always on alert, always in the middle of a take down, assassination attempt, or a kidnapping and attempted murder of someone they love. Lethal Reprisal introduces some of the next characters who will be up close and personal with their own stories including Marley’s extended family of half siblings.

The relationship between Marley and Warwick is a second chance relationship; a rekindling romance destroyed by the supposed death of Warwick James but a death that someone is desperate to ensure. Warwick’s life was destroyed the day his last assignment went all to h*ll but someone else was in charge, and Warwick believes he was meant to die. Warwick has never stopped loving our story line heroine but Marley Abrams is struggling the face of secrets and lies. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of coloful secondary and supporting characters many of whom will be featured in the author’s new spin off series-CRIMSON POINT SECURITY. We are introduced to MI6 Agent Teagan Kim, as well as Marley’s half-brothers Decker, Gavin, and Tristan, as well as the return of Walker and Ivy (Fatal Fallout 5).

LETHAL REPRISAL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, espionage and deception, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, character drive premise is intriguing, captivating and suspenseful; the romance is tender and intoxicating; the characters are spirited, determined and impassioned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Falling Hard
Cornered
Sudden Impact
Unsanctioned
Protective Impulse
Final Shot
Fatal Fallout

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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