Paige Vickers needs a new life, so she’s relieved when she’s given an assignment that takes her away from her stressful position as a psychiatric nurse with the CIA and puts her in a job as administrative assistant for Vanessa Johnson, an instructor for undercover operatives at the CIA’s training facility. At the same time, Damian Schmitt has been transferred to become a part of the Saint Squad—an elite group of Navy SEALs. However, on his first training mission with the team, he is almost killed, and the team suspects that the nearly fatal exercise was no accident. Then tensions accelerate when the rest of the squad is deployed on a secret mission—only to come up missing. When the Saint Squad’s disappearance endangers Paige’s boss, it is up to Paige and Damian to discover what has happened by going undercover to Maracaibo, Venezuela, the city of Damian’s childhood. The shocking twists and turns keep all the members of the team guessing as they push to find out who is responsible for the attacks on the tightly knit Saint Squad.
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson
Abramson’s novel is a fast-paced read that is interesting from the very first page until the very last. There is suspense, action, mild romance; moderate violence (typical of war-torn areas, criminals, etc--nothing too graphic), no swearing, no sexual references, and is suitable for readers of any age. A bit predictable, but still a good read. This is part of the "Saint Squad" series, but it not necessary to read preceding or following books to enjoy it.
Paige Vickers wants a change from being a psychiatric nurse and puts in for the job as administrative assistant for Vanessa Johnson, who's an instructor for undercover operatives at the CIA training facility. Around this time the Saint Squad gets another new member--Damian Schmitt, another non-LDS member on the team. On Damian's first training exercise they have an issue with their rappelling equipment and one of them is almost killed and they suspect it was not an accident.
The squad is sent on a top secret mission--all of them except for Damien because he's so new. Problems arise when they don't arrive at their destination, and they can't communicate with the "outside world". The only ones who can help find where the squad is and what happened to them are Paige and Damien who go undercover to Maracaibo, Venezuela where Damien grew up.
First up, Paige's job switch didn't sound any less stressful to me, even before she ended up having to go undercover in a foreign country. So, who's after the Saint Squad? It could be anyone as they probably have quite a few enemies.
This book had me so engaged with the multiple storylines (the squad, Damien and Paige, the bad guys, and Vanessa) I didn't want to turn it off. Just when I thought I knew who the big bad could be, I'd discover nope it's not him/her. So many twists and turns. I liked how resourceful the squad was when they found themselves so far away from civilization. The story was able to show each team member's strength and how well they worked as a team.
I liked the addition of Damien and Paige to the group. They worked well together being new to these kinds of situations and were a great help. The big bad was a complete surprise and someone I wouldn't have expected. This is a great addition to the Saint Squad series.
I listened to the audiobook using the Deseret Bookshelf app.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT Paige Vickers needs a new life, so she’s relieved when she’s given an assignment that takes her away from her stressful position as a psychiatric nurse with the CIA and puts her in a job as administrative assistant for Vanessa Johnson, an instructor for undercover operatives at the CIA’s training facility.
At the same time, Damian Schmitt has been transferred to become a part of the Saint Squad—an elite group of Navy SEALs. However, on his first training mission with the team, he is almost killed, and the team suspects that the nearly fatal exercise was no accident. Then tensions accelerate when the rest of the squad is deployed on a secret mission—only to come up missing.
When the Saint Squad’s disappearance endangers Paige’s boss, it is up to Paige and Damian to discover what has happened by going undercover to Maracaibo, Venezuela, the city of Damian’s childhood. The shocking twists and turns keep all the members of the team guessing as they push to find out who is responsible for the attacks on the tightly knit Saint Squad.
MY TAKE Another great Saint Squad addition. Damian is such a great guy. I loved his insecurity as he joined the squad and his desire to be good enough to be one of them. I won't say too much about what happens that forces them all to learn to trust each other, but it's exciting! And the romance is sweet.
I love this Saint Squad series. The suspense/tension is not too heavy but just right for me. I was excited to get my hands on this book and now it can go to my mother who I bought it for in the first place! Nothing like reading someone's gift before you give it to them. ha!
Good, Clean Action and Suspense with light romance. LDS Fiction.
This is a continuation of the Saint Squad series, but they're adding a new member. Damian Schmitt is the new guy trying to figure out where he fits on the squad exactly, but when his squad deploys without him, he's unsure if he even fits at all. Paige Vickers is Vanessa Johnson's new administrative assistant and she's hiding secrets of her own about why she left nursing and is deathly afraid of guns. When the squad goes missing, it comes down to Damian and Paige going undercover to find them before they're captured or killed.
I thought the story had a solid plot and it was nice to see some of the characters from the other books. I've always liked the team's interaction and the Saint Squad books are my favorites of hers. The one thing that bothered me a bit, though, was that this book had four stories going on simultaneously in really short chapters (what's going on with the squad, Damian and Paige, the bad guys, and Vanessa) so sometimes it seemed really choppy. I would just be getting into the flow when it would suddenly change to another part of the story, so it took a while to get back the flow again, if that makes sense. Also, there were three chapters that started out with Paige bubbling over something. Bubbling with nervousness, bubbling with energy, etc. Sort of funny, in a way. But I think it's a good addition to the Saint Squad series and the new characters were fun to read about. The tension is high through pretty much the whole book and the ending was definitely sigh-worthy.
I have followed the stories of the Saint Squad from the beginning and was excited to see another installment in their adventures as Navy SEALs. Paige needs a change in life and is assigned as an assistant to Vanessa, who is a CIA instructor, as well as one of the SEAL's wives. Paige is very resourceful and organized. I liked watching her learn to trust and overcome some fears that have been holding her back. Damian is very intriguing. He's from Venezuela, but doesn't look the part. He's eager to please, determined to succeed, and thinks fast on his feet.
There are great characters that come to life more with each book. I love seeing their personalities come through and enjoy watching their interactions with one another, especially when they really look out for each other. They all have different strengths.
There were some unexpected twists that had me on edge while I was cheering this favorite group on. This author has a way of weaving suspenseful situations in a way that aren't too fabricated and fake. I love that hint of realism.
Content: mild romance; moderate violence (typical of war-torn areas, criminals, etc--nothing too graphic); no language; mild romance (they're the Saint Squad because they're LDS, but there's nothing preachy). Clean for a reader who can handle intense suspense.
I haven't read this since my initial read, so I picked it up while waiting for my kiddos to get out of school. I had to finish it because I couldn't remember exactly how they saved everyone. It was just as much fun to read the second time around!
I was so excited to get this book--I have been missing the SEALS team. I was so invested in the story I read it in one sitting--yep, a later night than I wanted, but I had to see how it all turned out. The romance was a little more rushed than normal, but it was a cute story to go along with a good adventure! language: clean, heat level: very mild!
My rating 3.4 This is the 8th book in the Saint Squad series that my daughter-in-law recommended. I find the books easy to read, but gripping enough that I want to keep going. I have gotten attached to the characters and by the end of this book, could almost guess what the next one will be about (we will see!). The stories are about a squad of navy seals, most of whom are Mormon, though the religious aspect is light and not preachy. This particular book seemed a little more stretched out (leading to the next one?) than previous books as though the author is stretching the series. Still, I am enjoying and will keep reading when I need a change from heavier material.
Summary: Paige Vickers needs a new life, so she’s relieved when she’s given an assignment that takes her away from her stressful position as a psychiatric nurse with the CIA and puts her in a job as an administrative assistant for Vanessa Johnson, an instructor for undercover operatives at the CIA’s training facility. At the same time, Damian Schmitt has been transferred to become a part of the Saint Squad—an elite group of Navy SEALs. However, on his first training mission with the team, he is almost killed, and the team suspects that the nearly fatal exercise was no accident. Then tensions accelerate when the rest of the squad is deployed on a secret mission—only to come up missing. When the Saint Squad’s disappearance endangers Paige’s boss, it is up to Paige and Damian to discover what has happened by going undercover to Maracaibo, Venezuela, the city of Damian’s childhood. The shocking twists and turns keep all the members of the team guessing as they push to find out who is responsible for the attacks on the tightly-knit Saint Squad
This was a fast paced intense book with spies, drug lord, smuggling, undercover/fake identity, near death experiences and some fake dating.
I’ve read one other Saint Squad book and this is still well within the series but I didn’t feel lost, it’s a stand alone book. I was expecting to know a lot of the characters that were in Redemption (#11), so I was surprised that the main characters in Drop Zone weren’t mentioned in Redemption at all. So I definitely want to read more to see all the paths the characters took.
I do feel the ending ended quickly and I wanted a little more with the romance.
Possibly my new favorite Saint Squad book! Such an intricate but intriguing plot. Loved the new characters plus seeing lots of old favorites. I seriously stayed up so late to finish this but I have no regrets!
Continuing with the Saint Squad series these two main characters were never mentioned as being LDS so that was new. the author mentioned that there was another SEAL assigned to the squad so that foreshadows a new book coming.
This story was exciting and fun. I love the characters and I love when authors bring other characters back to other books a continues there development while gaining more characters to the circle of these characters who have become family to the reader.
Aahhh...another awesome book in this series. I loved it. It was exciting, riveting, full of suspense, and romantic. Abramson hits it well in this series, and I loved it. Clearly a sequel will follow. Great story line, and I love the new characters. My teen daughter loved it as well. Very clean and interesting. Can't wait for the next one!
My favorite of the Saint Squad titles so far! I guess the characters were deeper, the storyline had good twists and turns, etc. It was still a bit predictable, but worth the read.
Drop Zone by Traci Hunter Abramson follows the story of a psychiatric nurse turned secretary by the name of Paige, and a Navy greenie by the name of Damian. Together they're thrown into a situation that involves a rescue mission of Paige's boss, and Damian's teammates. This book, although number 8 in the series, can be read whenever, even if it ends up being the first book you read. Each book in the series follows different members of the Navy team referred to as the "Saint Squad", and their stories, in this one, Damian is the main character. This book was a great book and I enjoyed many aspects of it. The characters all had unique personalities, although the Navy team's wives could have a little more variety in their personalities. but the men were great. This story was constantly intriguing and I often took up as much free time as I could to read it, even if it meant reading it in a car for two hours and getting a little nauseous. The unique personalities of each of the Saint Squad members were very funny, which meant that there were some jokes. Overall I would give this book a full five out of five stars. This book is generally targeted towards adults, but young adults could easily enjoy this book as well. In Drop Zone by Traci Hunter Abramson the main characters, Paige and Damian, witnessed and were a part of things that I really hope I don't have to experience. Throughout their mission, they were required to deal with armed men and bombs. Because the main genre of this story is suspense fiction, it makes sense that a lot of the technology and the things they encountered are stuff I'm likely (and hopefully) not to experience. My life is pretty basic, I'm the typical teenager with an attitude and a desire to grow. I know that a specific family member of mine has experienced things not as extreme, but pretty close to as extreme and on a more local level, and it's unfortunate that they have to deal with that day so that they can protect the city while I'm doing whatever it is I'm doing at the moment. Although it would be kinda neat to experience these things, they're also dangerous, and I'd rather stay out of harm's way, so despite me reading for the category recent fiction, I cannot really relate to this story except for the fact that I have a family member who can kinda relate.
Book 8 in the Saint Squad Series - I'm reading out of order, again!!! The Saint Squad is made of up Navy SEALs that are also members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was great - Paige is a psychiatric nurse that needs to change her job and the atmosphere around her. So she gets a job with the CIA as an administrative assistant to Vanessa. Damien is a new member of the Saint Squad, right now they are on base working out - but as 2 guys are working on their climbing techniques, the wood gives way and their ropes fall - rookie Damien has to hold the weight of his partner so he doesn't fall to his death. They survive that ordeal...but NCIS is called in to check things and they find that the equipment/wood has been tampered with. Then the squad, minus Damien, are being sent to Venezuela on an assignment but the squad is dropped in a wrong place, they are now missing and the pilot (who subbed for someone who was "sick") was killed after he dropped the squad off. As the story unfolds, there are many things that aren't adding up right. They find all kinds of problems with people, places and situations that force Vanessa to go undercover again as an agent in Venezuela looking for her husband who is on the squad and a diamond/money laundering/drug dealing group. Now Paige and Damien have to go to Venezuela, Damien's childhood home, to find Vanessa and the Saints Squad. Some pretty harrowing experiences, people showing up dead and dead people showing up alive and the ingenuity of the Saints Squad to take care of themselves where ever they are. Story is full of intrigue, twists, turns, close calls and love and romance. I did feel at times that the character Paige was clueless at times and what seemed to me to be common sense didn't affect her that way and she always had to ask why. To me, when you're in danger and told to do something by someone who knows what they are doing, you don't stop and ask why and discuss it. But...I still enjoyed the book and highly recommend this series.
Drop Zone, a new book in Abramson’s “Saint Squad” series, finds Paige Vickers, a psychiatric nurse with the CIA, taking on a new assignment as administrative assistant for Vanessa Johnson, an instructor for undercover operatives at the CIA’s training facility.
Damian Schmitt, a new transfer to the Saint Squad—an elite group of Navy SEALs, is nearly killed in a training exercise with the team. The team suspects the incident was no accident. Shortly thereafter, Schmitt is discouraged when the rest of the Squad leaves on a secret mission without including him. Tension mounts when the Squad vanishes after their deployment to the jungles of South America.
When Paige’s boss is endangered by the disappearance of the Squad, Paige and Damian go undercover together to Venezuela, the country of Damian’s childhood, to search for the other Saint Squad members.
Riveting plot twists and shocking turns keep the tension mounting for everyone – including the reader – as Paige and Damian seek the source of the attacks on the Saint Squad.
This is the first book by Traci Hunter Abramson I have read, but I found myself quickly and smoothly enveloped by the story. For some writers it is tricky to balance backstory with the introduction of new characters for a new reader. Ms. Abrahmson handles this nicely. I appreciated her skill creating distinct and interesting characters and the speedy clip of the plot line with an insider’s eye to intrigue and peril. (Ms. Abramson worked for the CIA.) It is also refreshing when an action-packed thriller limits its heavy breathing passages to what one would expect from running through jungles, tracking down bad guys, and arriving (hopefully) in the nick of time to rescue the good guys. For those who enjoy fast-paced suspense with exotic settings, plenty of explosions and a kindling love interest, this should more than satisfy.
This is one of my favorites of the Saint Squad series because it takes little parts from the other books and enhances them in the best way. Like "Freefall," it separates a couple members of the squad and forces them to work alone (to rely on the others, AND to be the one the others rely on). Like "Crossfire," it focuses on Seth and Vanessa's story, so I'd suggest re-reading that one before picking this one up if you hadn't read it recently. Like "Backlash," the target is the SEALs themselves, and despite their superhero-like skills, they're put in vulnerable/inescapable positions that actually made me wonder how they would get out. (That was the biggest point that peaked my interest in this book). Then, like "Code Word," it's about a new member of the squad who's not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and who's just trying to find his place in this group. Also like "Freefall," the tension starts early, and it doesn't give up even after they solve the first issue... or the second issue. Last of all, this is the first book with a sneak peak of The Guardians - particularly Kade (who is my favorite).
I think this was the best book in the series. The Saint Squad is dropped fifty miles from where they were suppose to be and all their gear was compromised. That meant no coms or anyway for them to contact anyone to tell them where they were. The had to live in the jungle and eat food they could find there. But they found a way to get rescued. Vanessa went undercover again and found out that someone was compromising her intelligence she was receiving so she had to go meet those trying to capture her to keep Seth alive. But after several failed attempts to meet with a handler where she was, she was on her own. Then shows up the Saint Squad and Vanessa finds out that Seth has been captured. This time Vanessa has the Saint Squad to back her up and with everyone working together, all was okay. New love blossoms between the new recruit and Vanessa's assistant so now all the Squad will be made up of married men still.
Saint Squad back to political thriller and they have a new SEAL member, and so a new romance. Damian Schmidtt joins the squad and Paige Vickers is hired by Vanessa Johnson as an administrative assistant. They get used to the members of the squad and the squad is appreciative of their talents and abilities. The Squad is sent on assignment but they leave newbie Damian behind, undermining his burgeoning feelings of belonging, but when they disappear it is up to Damian and Paige to rescue them. It turns out their assignment was a trap to pull Paige's boss back into the field and Damian and Paige are the only support she has to figure out was is going on. Nice, light action and drama with clean romance.
Do you ever read a book and wish the characters were real? Well, that's how I feel about the Saint Squad. They are some pretty amazing imaginary people. Since they aren't actually real, I will just have to settle for reading (or listening) to their stories. This particular book was read to me while I participated in all of those mundane tasks that make sure my household doesn't implode. Stories like this are necessary to make the time pass quicker - and as a bonus, I find that I get more work done, because I don't want to stop listening. Damian and Paige are a great addition to the group, and it was enjoyable to sit back and watch them figure out their place both in work and their personal lives. I highly recommend this book, and this entire series.
This one was a bit out of my usual genres. I read it to learn more about suspense in writing, especially on restricting the flow of information to characters. It was informative.
This is fast-paced spy-thriller/romance/LDS story (none of which I normally read) in which some of the techniques and technology are based on the author's work history. Those included some speculations as well and were interesting to read about. It does keep you turning pages and there are plot twists right up until the end. A few things jumped out as possible plot holes and convenient coincidences but this was an "airplane" read so that was okay.
Contemporary, sweet, romantic suspense; series, but stand alone read, Saints Squad, Christian, CJCLDS Damian’s addition to the Squad as a new BUDS graduate is fraught with some bad luck and disappointments. Meeting a new girl, Paige, an assistant to a CIA trainer/former operative, starts a spark of attraction for them both. Mix in some revenge, international intrigue, diamonds, explosives, break ins, tails, rescues, and so much more made for a fantastic read and adventure. Definitely a page turner and hard to put down read that will leave you wanting more in this series.
I realize I'm predictable when it comes to this author, but she deserves it. Another well written and heart pounding story from my favorite romantic suspense author. The new characters are a good addition to the team, and their struggles with fitting in are handled well and also add the right amount of OH NO to the right spots in the story. Yes, the Saint Squad is a well established series, but this provides enough background (thanks to the new characters) that a reader could start here, get sucked in, and then start from the beginning. Highly recommended read!
Paige is sharp. I really like her and her relationship with Damian - he knows when to watch out for her and when to let her take risks. And Paige plays a big part in finding the Navy Seal squad lost in Venezuela. I love the setting, the pieces of the puzzle moving around, and the lack of communication because they're without equipment. Damian is the brand new Saint's Squad member, and he has a unique first mission.
It had been a long time since I had read a book with the Saint Squad and was happy to be involved in their activities again. They have a wonderful work ethic; very skilled in problem solving; very well trained Seals; capable of accomplishing any thing required of them. I recommend these books to anyone within listening distance. I am so grateful that Traci has continued to write about them.