Tag Archives: Tennessee Swat

SWAT Standoff/Stranded With the Detective by Lena Diaz – Reviews

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SWAT Standoff/Stranded With the Detective by Lena Diaz – Reviews

Welcome back to Destiny, Tennessee, and the SWAT team we love so much. Author, Lena Diaz, has been hard at work and is stunning her fans with the last two installments of the series. I’ve had the good fortune to receive ARCs and I will give you brief glimpses into what can only be described as proud, fitting tributes to a police group of men and women who make reading so worthwhile! 

 

SWAT Standoff
Tennessee SWAT series
by Lena Diaz
Release Date: July 1, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
A SWAT team vanishes.

Can two partners put aside their differences to save them?

Playing hero backfires on sexy SWAT team member Blake Sullivan. He infuriates his partner, Donna Waters, as much as he attracts her. But before they can resolve their differences, they discover that the rest of their team have been kidnapped by an unknown assailant. Now as they race to rescue the small Tennessee town’s real heroes, they share a growing mutual trust…and a hot, life-changing connection.

Review:

Blake, the newbie of the team, and his already-earned -her-respect partner, Donna, are coming to terms with their working relationship. Blake hasn’t yet fit in, but it’s not for lack of trying; Blake’s gut is the only logic he trusts. That mentality doesn’t sit well with their leader.

    “He’d really never accepted the blame for how things were going, always thinking it was everyone else’s fault that they refused to accept an outsider. The truth, as with most things, was probably somewhere in the middle.”

When ALL of our heroes are fiendishly ensnared, it seems Donna and Blake are in charge of rescuing their teammates/friends/family. I never saw this coming, but I am here for it! While the Destiny police and SWAT force are a formidable unit, when the core members vanish without a trace, it’s up to Donna and Blake to save their group AND uncover who’s behind the diabolical plan. If this type of investigation doesn’t solidify their bond, they might as well seek employment elsewhere.

The research and effort of such a case requires the “big guns” of the FBI, who is accustomed to ransom negotiations, but things quickly turn south. Before long, Donna and Blake are the only ones who remain stalwart to the goal of recovering their unit intact. The combined dedication allows Donna and Blake to reveal themselves in a bolder light and shed those insecurities that kept them at arm’s length. It was gratifying to see them so at ease with one another; to finally share more intimate feelings. Lena Diaz thrives in love story telling. You will undoubtedly be swept up in the romance.

SWAT Standoff is a joyful finale to a thrilling series full of memorable characters. Lena Diaz is a solid choice for action-packed, gritty, crime solving stories, lovingly entwined in all things sexy and swoon-worthy. It’s no easy feat, but she’s made her mark.

 

 

Stranded with the Detective
Tennessee SWAT series
by Lena Diaz
Release Date: June 1, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
A routine investigation turns deadly

Now they’re running for survival

SWAT officer Colby Vale and horse rancher Piper Caraway are left to die in the remote wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But for Colby, death is not an option. He vows to protect Piper as they navigate the treacherous way home. Surviving against nature is difficult. Fighting their attraction is harder. But when their tormentor makes his move…living to tell their tale may be impossible.

 

Review:

    “He’s not your horse. You tricked Billy. He knows how important Gladiator is to the future of my business. He’s the last horse I’d sell, no matter how hard times get.”

     “Are times hard right now?” Colby watched her closely. A light flush colored her cheeks.

     “We’ve had a few…problems lately. Nothing we can’t weather. But they’ve taken their toll. That’s why I was out of town when Gladiator was stolen.”

Piper insists she was wronged, and her horse swindled. Colby happened upon the fracas, but his immediate liking to Piper convinced him to be extra vigilant. He’ll help Piper reclaim her animal in every way legally possible.

When Piper and Colby are kidnapped and left for dead, it’s got to be something serious to be discarded deep in the grueling conditions of the Appalachian mountains, Colby’s detective brain goes into action. Despite the frostbite threatening his wellbeing, he starts building a case; certain that he’ll see the perpetrator in prison.

Is it a grudge against Piper, a disgruntled employee or neighbor, a jealous stalker? Lena Diaz writes a terrific whodunit, within a love story, that keeps you guessing and rooting for Colby and Piper. You’ll revisit with former characters who serve to enhance the investigation and deliver the camaraderie that keeps them so loyal. You’ll wish YOU could be Stranded with the Detective, too!

Reviews by Carmen

Copies supplied for review

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Secret Stalker by Lena Diaz – a Review

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Secret Stalker by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

Secret STalkerAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
A SWAT officer must protect the woman who broke his heart 

Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee town—and Max’s life—under a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man “allegedly” stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, they’re aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, he’s also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bex’s final secret destroy them both?

 

Review:

How many times have we attempted to do the right thing only to still cause heartache or grief, regardless of the best intentions? Too many to count – me, too. But when love is on the line, doesn’t it behoove you to listen to your heart, since it’s the one in need of healing? Max and Bex are flung into a hostile situation, which they handle admirably, but their 10 year separation reopens gaping wounds and wreaks havoc anew.

Bex was supposed to go unnoticed in Destiny, settle her mom’s estate and escape unscathed, but small towns have the uncanny ability of drawing attention to one of their own. Max, detective and SWAT member, is just as crazed by Bex’s unexpected presence, but two attempted threats on her life demands his professionalism (and is more dangerous to her health) than facing their failed past. Secret Stalker is book 2 in Lena Diaz‘s Tennessee SWAT series. Max was the stud in the background of book 1 (Mountain Witness available here), so jumping into his story has been deliciously anticipated.

“It was as if the universe was against her, throwing obstacles in her path to keep her from leaving.”

As if threats upon her life aren’t escalating, the death of a high school classmate haunts Bex (and the town). Destiny is small-town charming, but it has a long, unforgiving memory and Bex being back home stirs up several troubling emotions in lots of complicated people.

Bex is being harassed and Max, as a detective, is following the case closely. Closer because of his prior relationship with Bex. While the investigation unfolded, obstruction of justice nagged at me. To quote the book’s synopsis, Bex flees town “under a cloud of suspicion”. It seems unlikely that a key figure would disappear without serious repercussions. Well, attempts on Bex’s life certainly qualify, don’t they? It’s collusion at worst then. Max is brave and aware of the larger legal picture; aware that connecting the dots is the only way to secure Bex’s complete exoneration. His heart and feelings for Bex blur the lines of job execution.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, the heartfelt pleading, even the thrill of the head-turning chase, but Max and Bex didn’t sizzle from the onset. Oh, their bodies reacted out of proximity and space (working together doesn’t diminish attraction), but this low simmer allowed Ms. Diaz to fully flesh out her characters and develop plotlines, so who’s really complaining? The steam gradually ensued and it was a perfect union.

The pacing of the story was a bit unusual this time around. Learning the details of Bex’s “silent stalker” so late into the story felt like the build-up of animosity came too late? I wanted to rail against this guy from the beginning! Alas, interesting twists enhanced the resolution. I was banking on one suspect, but Ms. Diaz veered and spun my theory into another. Really enjoyed the action-laden finale!

Lena Diaz continues to expand on her wonderful Tennessee SWAT series with Secret Stalker. Do not miss this or her next!

Review by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

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Mountain Witness by Lena Diaz – a Review

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Mountain Witness by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

Mountain WitnessAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
A woman in hiding and a man on a mission in the Smoky Mountains

Detective Chris Downing doesn’t know much about his neighbor. In the rural town of Destiny, Tennessee, Julie Webb lives a life of seclusion, rarely even offering a smile or wave. Only when Chris hears her frantic screams one night does he gain a glimpse into the life of a woman in hiding, and in saving her life, he is forced to kill her attacker. But Julie’s troubles are only beginning to unravel. When Chris learns the identity of Julie’s attacker, questions of trust are raised and suspicions run high. Together they will uncover the motives of a killerand the undeniable attraction between them.

 

Review:

Death comes to us all, but by means of murder? That’s sure to keep Julie’s guard up, fend off anyone remotely interested. “Too bad the good manners his mama had instilled in him…wouldn’t allow him to ignore her the way she ignored him.” A blessing, turns out, to live in such proximity to Detective Chris Downing. But wild thoughts invade and derail the promise of the hot, new neighbor: “That maybe Julie Webb knew she was moving next door to a cop all along. That she had planned this whole thing from beginning to end. *(In italics, please – this last line)* That she’d just used Chris as a weapon to commit murder.” Things just got very interesting in Destiny. Mountain Witness is book one in Lena Diaz‘s awesome, new series, Tennessee SWAT. It is a fast-paced, why-is-someone-hell-bent-on-killing-me story packed with intensity and swoons!

Poor Julie can’t catch a break. It’s bad enough that Julie’s marriage hit a downward spiral, but when this attack notifies the assistant district attorney, we soon discover a pending investigation from Nashville is going to reach the small town of Destiny. And here she thought she’d get away from the past; trouble seemingly follows Julie. Will Chris’s theories condemn Julie or exonerate her once and for all? Because, seriously: blaming the victim? Definitely an obstacle to hurdle with the emerging attraction.

Piecing together clues is bittersweet work for Chris because he’s good at his job; it’s gratifying to explain intentions. But, it’s the nefarious nature of the crime, of the plot, to harm Julie, that interferes with the lines of professionalism.

“There was zero doubt now that more than one person was after her, trying to kill her. Whatever was going on was bigger than a soon to be ex-husband wanting to settle the score.”

Revealing privileged information while protecting the victim is delicate business. Chris’s growing feelings for Julie keep him ever vigilant and committed to nabbing the culprit, but maintaining that balance will win you over for sure! Chris is fiercely loyal and determined to make Julie feel safe again. Let me take a moment to pause in deference to Chris’s fellow SWAT officers. Lena Diaz developed camaraderie and unflinching support within each character. Yeeessss…here’s hoping Max’s story is up next!

I loved this book. You never know what you’re made of until your mettle is challenged and I saw wonderful growth and courage in Chris and Julie. They faced tremendous odds in fearsome situations, but they never undermined each other or succumbed to the evil dogging their steps. I did feel as if the end was fast approaching without resolution and I wondered if we’d be straining toward another chapter in the unfolding disaster. I was more than thrilled with its ultimate conclusion, but wished some of the aftermath hadn’t wrapped up so curiously. I’m betting Intrigue’s page count didn’t allow for full exploration. Trust me that Ms. Diaz doesn’t skimp on the feels!

Destiny might be a small town, but its effect on Chris and Julie is transformative. Another fabulous read by Lena Diaz to be sure!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

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