Lock & Key

Saint Squad #7

by Traci Hunter Abramson

After years of hiding from her criminal family, Carina Channing is ready to start a new life in Virginia Beach. But cutting ties with the past proves impossible thanks to a mysterious key she received from her imprisoned father. After a warning visit from her uncle, Carina and her boyfriend, Navy SEAL Jay Wellman, begin an urgent search to discover the key's purpose before their enemies intercede. With their lives and shared future on the line, Carina and Jay race against time to unravel the threat and the promise this one simple family key holds.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Lds, Suspense, Fiction, Audiobook

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

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

Reviews

[Amanda Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not my favorite book by Abramson, it was still a good read with a good mystery. This book continues the story of Carina and Jay, began in Code Word where her Chicago-mob family was after something her father had sent...and a little revenge. Now, Carina and Jay are living in Virginia Beach planning the wedding with their families when it appears someone is again trying to retrieve her father's package (a key and a postcard). Will they figure out who is after them and why before it's too late?
While there were some elements of the story that I had a hard time believing, the narrative was engaging. (The fun/annoying thing about Christian or LDS fiction is that any unreality in situation can be dealt with by prayer, revelation, and the simply fact of God's timing.) While focusing mainly on the mystery of the key, there are other problems to deal with that made the book much more realistic. Carina's younger sister Bianca is having problems with a bully at school, Carina is worried about the wedding dress designs for celebrity Kendra Blake and how to launch her clothing company, and Jay is learning how to balance his life as a SEAL with a new family. Abramson never disappoints.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this part of the series of the Saint Squad. She dealt with bullying in high school, a swim team and the dedication to the sport, and of course "family." Not all family is related by blood but by love, respect and support for each other.
Still Love this book

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating 3.5
I didn't enjoy this book in the Saint Squad series quite as much as the previous ones. I think it had more to do with being less realistic (more idealistic) than previous books. It was a nice story with everyone being inclusive and forming new family units while being chased by mob members who led back to one family. These books are not deep, but I find them a refreshing break from the other fantasy series I am currently reading, which gets quite intense. I will read the next one in the series when I have time as it it nice to read about a better world than the one in which we live!

Summary:
After years of hiding from her criminal family and recently taking over care for her two younger sisters, Carina Channing is ready to start a new life in Virginia Beach. But cutting ties with the past proves impossible thanks to a mysterious key she received from her imprisoned father—a key her mobster uncle died trying to obtain. After a warning visit from another uncle, Carina and her boyfriend, Navy SEAL Jay Wellman, begin an urgent search to discover the key’s purpose before their enemies intercede. Following cryptic notes left by Carina’s father, they go in search of the lock the key will open—but every step they take grows more perilous because there are others who will do anything to find the hidden location first. With their lives and shared future on the line, Carina and Jay race against time to unravel the threat and the promise this one simple family key holds.

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyable! The mystery kept me guessing, the romance was cute, and I liked how it dealt with sexual harassment. The only thing that would have made it better is if the plot didn't rely on the stupidity of one of the characters.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this novel was like having a reunion with old friends in the saint squad. I loved getting reacquainted with carina and Bianca after their close call trying to escape their father's family ties to the cartel. I loved seeing the family relationships in the saint squad. When Bianca starts a new school in Virginia beach, she is bullied by a swim mate and fellow student. The saint squad stand together and set up a video of the acts so the principal believes Bianca.
When the threat comes in the form of a bounty for the whereabouts of the Channing sisters, jay, Carina's fiancé takes them to NY to try to connect the clues of the key and postcard Carina's father sent. They end up finding a enormous, elegant condo showcasing Central Park that is Carina's trust along with some $. They have the unexpected visit from Silvia, their cousin. He wants their father's money and is willing to kill to get it. Jay saves the day and they plan to use the new found money to build an aquatics center for Pete, (jay's dad and Bianca's swim coach) to use along with a house for the whole family. Jay and Carina's wedding date gets closer.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a friend, Jen Geddes, who LOVES Traci Hunter Abramson as much as I do and the whole time I was reading this book I kept thinking "Jen is going to love this."

So I dedicate this review to you Jen!


This book continues the story of Jay, Carina and Bianca.

Carina and Bianca have been in hiding from the criminal past of their family.

Bianca has a new school and a new swim team, and unfortunately, a new bully.

Carina is falling deeper in love with Jay and designing dresses for a very famous clientele.

But when Carina is surprised with a visit from her uncle, she, Jay, and Bianca go on the run again.

Carina also hold as key that will unlock all the answers...only problem...no one will tell her what the key unlocks.

Jay and the Saint squad take on the bully...can you even imagine how that high school boy feels when he comes up against the squad :)

And they also help Carina try to find the piece to the puzzle she calls...life.

SO AMAZINGLY GOOD!
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!
A TRUE PAGE-TURNER!
FALL IN LOVE WITH JAY AND THE SAINT SQUAD ONCE AGAIN!

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it again after a couple of years. I was a little more irritated this time with the high school angst, but then I got over it. I do wonder if Jonah could end up wanting to be a seal when he's grown.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series. The light suspense all the way through keeps me interested and full of anticipation. Good, clean read. Light LDS fiction.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I was glad it was a carry-over from the previous book so that the issue of the key Carina had could be resolved. I don't know how in real life you would ever be able to get away from the mob if your family ties were to it. You would think you always had to have your eyes looking back to see if anyone has caught up to you. Carina came into a lot of money but it was fun to see her use some of that to built a center to name for her mother - Pete would get his swimming pool and they would have a house big enough that Jay's parents could live with them and Bianca too since she is still in high school. Makes since for Pete to be close to Bianca since he has her on his swim team and they practice three times a day. That is intense!! Not as much hands on with the Seal team in this one besides trying to follow-up on leads Jay has for them. Although moving Carina and Bianca out of their apartment was interesting as Brent lowered boxes down to Jay over the balcony so that anyone staking out the apartment wouldn't know where she was moving to. Their plan to drive the moving truck to Baltimore was a great way to fool who was following them.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was the sequel to Code Word but nevertheless, author Abramson did a good job creating this novel to stand on its own. Cariana is the daughter of a mob boss and is hiding from the warring factions of the family. Her mom has been murdered and her dad is in prison for it, not that they believe that he did it. He is, however, willing to stay in prison anyway and has left his daughters with a key and a puzzle. Unfortunately the other members of the mob family want that key. Cariana's younger sister Bianca is in high school and the story is almost more about her than Cariana and her fiance, Jay Wellman, who is a member of the Saint Squad SEALs. We get great details about Bianca's competitive swimming training as well as her dealing with bullying in her new high school, all the while they are trying to stay hidden from the mob. Good action scenes. This book in the Saint Squad series is a step away from the normal SEAL activities and political intrigues.

[Kevin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of Traci's books that takes another twist in the plot line. This is about 3 sisters that has fled from their families criminal past and after the murder of their Mother and their father being charged in her death but also being innocent of the death because his daughter shot the murderer, her Uncle. Her younger sister is in a new High school and is being bullied by the most popular boy in school. She is also on a swim club and is not being helped by the coach. Life is tough for the family and the oldest sister is in love with one of the Saint squad members, who is trying to protect her. She has a bounty on her head and her family is trying to get a key that her father gave her to provide for his family's care once she turns 25. Drama and intrigue follows plus other elements.

[Cynthia A Schwenck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Abramson

I have found that when I read an author's books back to back after 5 or 6 books I begin to get irrated with some of the characters. They start to feel whiny, rude, etc. I am reading Traci Hunter Abramson' s books from the first to the last and have yet to be irrated by a character. In part this is because the books are enjoyable, but also because the primary character in each book changes. As with the others I have enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect addition to this romantic suspense series

Sweet contemporary romantic suspense; series, but stand alone read; Saints Squad series, Christian, CJCLDS background
Carina and Jay’s story continued, and more of Carina’s family background comes out along with the secret of the key. Bianca finds her way at her new school, and lots of other small things come together to tie up some loose ends. Two honest, sweethearts, the SEAL team backstory, FBI references, and lots of other details made for a perfect suspense novel.

[Amy S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Follow up to a previous book in the series. Doesn’t work as well as a stand-alone. Lots of references to previous books and characters. It felt like following an engaged couple around as they house hunt, wedding plan, and visit a financial planner. Then there was all this teenage high school drama with creepiness solved by overkill SEAL team stuff. I know it’s supposed to be fictional suspense but I couldn’t find the balance of reality and fiction.
Violence, no sex, mild language

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Abramson. This one was really 4.5 stars. There were a couple of things that bothered me when it came to the school situation. However, I went with 5 stars just because I love the series so much. It was fun to get a lot more from Bianca in this book as well.

I'm having kind of a love/hate relationship with the series. I love the series. I hate the fact that every book I read brings me that much closer to it being over.

[Emily F - Seriously Sweet Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to see Jay and Carina's relationship progress and see Pete and Sandra Wellman interact with Carina and Bianca. The twists and turns kept me guessing! I loved the cameos of the Saint Squad, especially when they're standing up for Bianca at school. There were some reference to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they made sense with the story, This was a sweet and clean romantic suspense, I'd rate PG-13 for kissing and thematic violence.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

More exciting and new romantic suspense dealing with the Saint Squad. More Jay and Carina, Pete and Bianca, only Bianca is dealing with harassment and bullying and that's something the Squad won't allow. Plus, who is trying to find them?
Clean romance, great suspense, and a healthy mix of humor and fun interactions to keep it lighter than you'd expect given some of the subject matter.
Well done.

[LaRee Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family oriented and suspenseful

Love the way this book combined suspense, family love and support, and spirituality. The key was the mystery for sure. There were so many people helping with the many challenges going in their lives , and it was so easy to follow. Traci Hunter Abramson did a masterful job of making it all work smoothly together. Definitely 5 stars

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had been a couple of years since I had the previous one, and I was a little nervous because this book picked up from where the last one left off. Abramson did a great job of reminding the reader of the important things that we needed to know so that I was never lost. I enjoyed the characters and the intrigue. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Rebecca Heywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a great continuation of the last one. However, if became pretty saccharine towards the end. A little like how a young girl would write her fantasy story. Almost like a lost princess type of story. She gets a great guy, she finds out she is rich instead of poor, she gets rescued, they live happily ever after and get everything that they want.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just recently been reading her books. I have enjoyed them a lot. They are a good LDS fun read. Kept me turning the pages and kept me looking for more of her books to read. I am on the next series now.

You will want to read the undercurrent series before reading this series.

[Traci Sessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the “Saint Squad” books up to this point. This one so far has been the best. I started it and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. It was filled with suspense. You will want to read book six in the series “Code Word” before reading this one to understand the back story.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this story dragged out a little too long and not as exciting or realistic as the others. No one gets along with their in-laws well enough to actually want to live with them. Also, the living together and staying clean part is hardly believable.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say this was my favorite in the series, but this book helped to answer questions from the previous book and also added a little more drama and conclusion to Jay and Karina’s story. Just not as much of a thriller as past books. Love this series of books!

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues the story from “Code Word”. It picks up right where it left off. We meet a few new characters and learn more about previous ones. This one isn’t as intense and action filled but still an enjoyable read.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me a bit to get into. I enjoyed reading more about Carina and Jay and getting to see resolutions. The family of which Carina is a part is fascinating to me, and I loved being able to see how her father helped her and her sisters. Overall a great book!

[Kaela Batson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but felt it odd that all the others only got one book and this couple got two. Personally they weren't my favroite couple to follow that long. Would have prefered Brent and Amy or Rliey and Tristan

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed this story because it gave Bianca a chance to shine, as the co-protagonist. Her troubles at school were somehow more upsetting and infuriating than the mafia coming after her and her sister. The theme of family and protection was sweet and the conclusion satisfying.

[Gail Tavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Really enjoyed the book as it brought to end a few situations from the past book “Smokescreen” to a close. Have been enjoying the Saint Squad books, and look forward to read more.

[M Summ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor dysfunctional family!! Love the swimming references, brought back memories. This one had little to do with the saint squad though, their missions were side notes of the story of the mob searching for the sisters.