TOXIC VENGEANCE (Vengeance #4) by Kaylea Cross- review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 21, 2020

A past poisoned by lies.

Toxins expert Eden Foster was trained never to get close to anyone. She’s only broken that rule twice, and each time it ended in heartbreak. Her mentor was murdered in front of her, and now the man she was forced to deceive and leave behind has suddenly become a threat. She wants justice, but the only way she’ll get it is by joining forces with the only man to pose a threat to her guarded heart—the CIA contractor tasked with capturing and turning her in.

Risking a second chance could cost them everything.

Zack Maguire has spent his entire adult life serving his country, but this time, he’s torn between duty and his heart. Eden might not be the woman he thought she was, but he refuses to accept that everything between them was a lie. If she’s being hunted, he’s all in. He won’t sit back and do nothing when her life is on the line. As the danger mounts, he’ll do anything to protect her. And when their enemies close in, the only way they’ll live long enough to have a second chance is to let go of the past and learn to trust each other.

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REVIEW: TOXIC VENGEANCE is the fourth instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult VENGEANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of women once known as the Valkyrie-members of a secret CIA government project. This is CIA contractor Zack Maguire, and toxins experct/Valkyrie Eden Foster’s story line. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion as there is an ongoing arc throughout. The VENGEANCE series is a spin-off from the author’s HOSTAGE RESCUE TEAM series. You do not have to have read the original series to follow or understand but it is recommended to read DISAVOWED (Hostage Rescue Team #4).

SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, an unsanctioned, secret CIA run project ‘stole’, brainwashed and trained a number of orphan girls in an effort to design the perfect killing machine known as the Valkyrie. The project was disbanded but the Valkyrie have since found themselves targeted by someone high in the organization, someone who is willing to kill to protect the secrets they know. Deadly operatives trained to work alone, each a specialist in a different field, the Valkyrie struggle when they find themselves losing their heart and falling in love.

Told from several third person perspectives including Eden and Zack TOXIC VENGEANCE follows Valkyrie and toxins expert Eden Foster on her latest assignment to end the life of an international arms dealer but Eden never expected to come face to face with her most recent past, a man who had stolen her heart when she believed she had no heart to steal. Enter CIA contractor Zack Maguire, and the man with whom Eden will fall in love. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Eden and Zack as they, as the Valkyries find themselves on the run, targeted by numerous assassins, in an effort to procure one of their own.

Eden Foster has been alone for most of her adult life but never expected to be reunited with the women in the Valkyrie program. From the outset, Zack Maguire’s reappearance forces Eden to look beyond the past when several of their contacts and handlers end up dead. Everywhere to run but nowhere to hide, the Valkyries struggle to stay one step ahead of their past. Zack Maguire has never stopped looking for Eden Foster but discovering Eden was once a part of the CIA’s cover Valkyrie program gave our hero pause, a pause that would place him and the others in the direct line of fire.

The relationship between Zack and Eden is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people who never knew the truth but would one day discover the reality of what was, and what will be 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 colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples: Megan Smith and Tyler Bergstrom (Stealing Vengeance #1), Amber Brown and Jesse Cordova (Covert Vengeance #2), Chloe and Heath (Explosive Vengeance #3) former SAS veteran Marcus Laidlaw, retired SF and NSA agent Alex Rycroft; and Valkyries Trinity Durant and IT specialist Kiyomi. The requisite evil has many faces. Kiyomi and Marcus’ story line is next in Beautiful Vengeance.

TOXIC VENGEANCE is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies; of murder and obsession; of acceptance and falling in love. The premise is fast paced, intriguing and dramatic; the characters are energetic, intelligent and inspiring; the romance is seductive and sensual. TOXIC VENGEANCE is a suspense filled and edgy story sure to inspire us all.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Stealing Vengeance
Covert Vengeance
Explosive Vengeance

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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