Tag Archives: The Mighty McKenzies

Smokies Special Agent by Lena Diaz – a Review

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Smokies Special Agent by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

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Description:
She was on a mission to fix the past

And he was determined to help her…

For ten years, Remi Jordan has been hunting her twin sister’s kidnapper. When baiting a killer backfires, the FBI agent’s career and freedom are suddenly on the line. Joining forces with Smoky Mountains investigator Duncan McKenzie ups the ante, unleashing treacherous desire. Now, with another woman missing, Remi’s fighting a lot more than the ghosts of the past. Is she also ready to fight for her future?

 

Review:

Do you lock up an FBI agent for committing a crime or is it intragency courtesy to look away, even if it flies against the face of everything you believe in? Special Agent Duncan McKenzie (Adam’s brother from Smoky Mountains Ranger, remember?!) is stuck between a rock and a hard place after arresting Special Agent Remi Jordan. She shot an unarmed man, what exactly was he supposed to do?! Having her in custody at least allows him to follow her train of thought: Someone was stalking her and she was super close to catching him! Now what? Work together, naturally.

Welcome to book 2 of Lena Diaz‘s Mighty McKenzies series, Smokies Special Agent. Duncan was a secondary character in the introductory novel, but he’s center stage now and thrust into a deadly case plaguing FBI Agent Remi for ten years.

At first, the profile Remi’s presented seems rather arbitrary: her working theory is based off a constellation that may plot the serial killer’s next victim. Feasible, but trust Lena Diaz at the helm, the storyline develops and takes root. Remi is nigh obsessed with tracking this particular monster after her twin sister mysteriously disappeared on their high school senior trip in the Smokies. She’s researched and tracked the victims, all but made herself bait to entice the killer! Recall her arrest, ;D — this was how they met! With Duncan as a fast ally, he’s got great instincts, Remi shares all her knowledge and they quickly collaborate; expand and hone their ideas, until a new pattern emerges.

“They had less than twenty-four hours to fit all the pieces together, to try to stop a killer from taking another victim.”

And just like that, you hit the ground running; fascinated and desperate to bring the criminal to justice.

Harlequin Intrigue delivers full stories in less than 300 pages. It is author Lena Diaz‘s deft hand that excels at driving the passion and intensity of great characters and this series is another feather in her cap. Remi was endowed with courage to pursue her sister’s killer and blessed with Duncan’s willingness to see it through. A Mighty McKenzie indeed.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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Smoky Mountains Ranger by Lena Diaz – a Review

Posted on by
11

Smoky Mountains Ranger by Lena Diaz – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
A dangerous mountain escape

Adam McKenzie’s protective instincts are on overdrive, but Jody Ingram is no helpless victim. She refuses to abandon the injured ranger who saved her life despite the mysterious gunmen hot on her trail. Adam must decide Jody is worth the risk to his life and his heart….

 

 

Review:

Smoky Mountains Ranger is the introductory novel in a new series, The Mighty McKenzies, by award-winning author, Lena Diaz. Jody is a young woman caught in a blackmail scheme and Adam is the law enforcement ranger whose intervention saves Jody, but uncovers a much more nefarious plot.

Adam stumbles upon Jody’s meet-and-greet-gone-horribly-wrong and his inadvertent involvement does little to improve the messy situation. Deciding Jody is in way over her head, “Tattoo Guy” has a gun on her, Adam overtakes the explosive situation and both are suddenly on the run from the thug!

In the chase, Tattoo Guy supplements his offense with a bevy of criminals and the secrets start spilling. Hiding, and still outwitting, the gang on their tail, Jody and Adam surmise that Jody’s boss has incriminating evidence against the motley crew and they won’t stop until Jody’s given up the goods.

Lena Diaz’s writing is solid as expected. In under 300 pages, she delivers the complete package. I was gripped by the mountain chase! The detailed scenes leave you in a panic; exhausted as if you’re scrambling alongside our heroes (or just hiding in wait was torturous!). I didn’t have the luxury of passing out from the pain like Adam — his/her stitch job was gruesome and imbedded itself quite graphically onto my brain. ?

I referred to an underlying, devious plot early on, and it’s unconscionable, but I don’t want to plant any seeds on that subplot, so let’s hype up the slow burn love story. Adam is more reticent about acting on their attraction because emotions are running high, people are dying and traumatizing memories are resurfacing, but Jody is a confident woman who isn’t afraid of intimacy. The connection intensifies, bemusedly, when they communicate; they listen without judgment. Oh, there is sexy indulgence, but their support and concern for each other stems from respect. And if that doesn’t depict forever kind of love…this isn’t your story. ?

The Mighty McKenzies is off to a great start. While his role may have been minimal, Adam’s brother, Duncan, a class act, will star in the next book. Since he was categorized as being “married to his job”, I think he’s primed for HEA. Make it so, Ms. Diaz!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

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